Potato market in Luxembourg

Earlier Report Observations

The Luxembourg fresh potato market expanded from 17,666 tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 23,169 tonnes in 2021. This growth was supported in part by a 2020 precautionary ban on cultivating and marketing the genetically modified 'Amflora' potato, which reinforced domestic non-GMO production. Furthermore, heightened global demand for fresh potatoes stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic continued to influence European trade flows, sustaining import volumes and overall market size through the period.

Market volume subsequently declined to 19,862 tonnes by 2023. This contraction coincided with the adoption of a new national agricultural law in 2023 setting sustainability requirements for producers, alongside a significant increase in production costs, particularly for energy. These factors directly pressured farm profitability and contributed to lower domestic output. Regional tensions in the seed potato supply, due to drought and reduced cultivation areas, presented additional challenges for consistent production.

Entering 2024, new regulations came into force that could reshape supply dynamics. A ministerial decree banned the introduction of potatoes originating from the Netherlands without prior declaration, potentially restricting a key import channel. Simultaneously, a revised grand-ducal regulation strengthened production and certification conditions for seed potatoes. On the infrastructure side, the inauguration of new cold storage chambers financed by retailer Lidl aimed to enhance local storage and logistics capacity.

Production potato in Luxembourg

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Luxembourg's potato production increased in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 16 370 tonnes of potatoes, representing a measured increase of 6.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 23.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 8.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 15 330 tonnes, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 23.8% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Luxembourg in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports potato from Luxembourg

Exports in kind, t

Potato exports from Luxembourg declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 8 404 tonnes of potatoes, marking a modest reduction of 4.8% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 235 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.2%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Belgium remained the primary destination for Luxembourg's potato exports in volume terms, accounting for 78.7% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Potato exports from Luxembourg increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported potatoes worth 4 779 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 41.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium was the dominant destination for Luxembourg's potato exports in value terms, accounting for 71.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports potato to Luxembourg

Imports in kind, t

Luxembourg imported approximately 11 228 tonnes of potatoes in 2020, representing a 6.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 691 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 12 046 tonnes. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2019 with a 12.7% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Belgium (38.8% of import volume), France (26.7%), and Spain (9.1%) consistently served as the main sources for Luxembourg's potato imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Potato imports to Luxembourg declined in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. Import value was recorded at 10 232 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial decline of 12.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 16.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 11 648 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 26.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (40.4% of import value), France (20.4%), and Spain (10.6%) formed the main cluster of markets for Luxembourg's potato imports in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.5% of total import flows.

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

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