Potato market in Jordan

Earlier Report Observations

The Jordanian potato market opened the period at 167.5 thousand tons in 2018, with factors such as rising local demand and supply shortages putting upward pressure on prices. Production increased the following year, lifting the market volume to 185.0 thousand tons in 2019, partly due to the onset of the local harvest season aimed at bridging the supply-demand gap. However, in 2020, the market contracted to 156.0 thousand tons as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted agricultural supply chains, affecting both production and logistics.

A significant rebound occurred in 2021, with the market expanding to 195.6 thousand tons. This growth was driven by the Ministry of Agriculture's support for potato farmers through certified seeds and reduced import duties, alongside a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia to develop potato processing capacity in Jordan. After a drop to 153.6 thousand tons in 2022 amid broader inflationary pressures on vegetable prices, the market recovered strongly to 203.6 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery was supported by the wider launch of potato processing projects and the expansion of regional exports, particularly to Qatar, which encouraged higher production.

Throughout the period, the market exhibited volatility, with production levels responding to both challenges like pandemic disruptions and cost inflation, as well as initiatives such as state-backed farmer support and investments in value-added processing. These elements shaped the overall supply dynamics, leading to a net increase in market volume from 2018 to 2023.

Production potato in Jordan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2019, Jordan's potato production reached its highest level at 173.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 13.4% increase. However, by 2020, production had declined to 147.9 thousand tonnes, representing a 14.8% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 5%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Jordan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports potato from Jordan

Exports in kind, t

The export market for potatoes from Jordan showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 737 tonnes, which was 63.2% lower than in 2018. The peak occurred in 2017, creating a 7.2-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. In 2020, exports rebounded sharply to 3 301 tonnes, representing a 347.9% increase compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Jordan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain remained the primary markets for Jordan's potato exports in volume terms. Iraq accounted for 35.6% of exports, Kuwait for 28.7%, and Bahrain for 15.6%. Together, these three countries represented 79.9% of Jordan's total potato export volume during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Jordan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Jordan's potato exports demonstrated considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 460 thousand US dollars, representing a 59.0% decline. The peak occurred in 2017, creating a 4.9-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. In 2020, export value recovered to 1 460 thousand US dollars, showing a 217.2% increase compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Jordan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain were the main destinations for Jordan's potato exports in value terms. Iraq accounted for 28.6% of export value, Kuwait for 28.5%, and Bahrain for 16.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 73.6% of Jordan's total potato export value during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Jordan in value, 2017-2020

Imports potato to Jordan

Imports in kind, t

Jordan's potato imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 11 398 tonnes. This represented a 5.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 32.4%, with an average annual decline of 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Jordan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Palestine were the leading suppliers of potatoes to Jordan in volume terms. France accounted for 44.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 25.9%, and Palestine for 18.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 88.4% of Jordan's total potato imports during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Jordan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Jordan's potato imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 7 327 thousand US dollars. This represented a 12.2% decrease compared to 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 10 048 thousand US dollars, marking a 13.5% increase. The following year saw a 17.0% decline. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 17.2%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Jordan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Palestine formed the main group of suppliers for Jordan's potato imports in value terms. France accounted for 47.9% of import value, the Netherlands for 28.6%, and Palestine for 11.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 88.2% of Jordan's total potato import value during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Jordan in value, 2017-2020