Potato market in Mali

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Mali's potato market faced significant challenges. Initially, the sector recognized a production deficit relative to national demand, prompting calls for state support through input subsidies. In 2019, the entry of a new player, AgriZED, with investments in a 1,000-hectare farm aimed to boost local output. However, by 2020, production plunged sharply due to high seed and fertilizer costs combined with adverse climate effects that reduced yields.

The government responded in 2021 by launching a National Potato Sector Development Strategy, targeting 1 million tonnes of production by 2026 and introducing subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. These measures likely contributed to a recovery in 2022, when market volume rose to 311 thousand tonnes, though persistent constraints like inadequate storage infrastructure and costly seed imports limited further growth.

In 2023, authorities imposed an embargo on potato imports to shield domestic producers, leading to a steep drop in imports. Nonetheless, production declined again, possibly due to ongoing climatic pressures and high production costs, resulting in a market contraction to 240 thousand tonnes.

Production potato in Mali

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Mali's potato production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 225.9 thousand tonnes of potatoes, which represents a 25.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 310.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.6%.

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

Exports potato from Mali

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Mali's potato exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 110 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 1 240 tonnes in 2019, representing an 11.3-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports dropped to 287 tonnes, marking a significant 76.9% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 1 027.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire was the primary buyer of potatoes from Mali, accounting for 75.0% of total exports in volume, while other trading partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. Mali's potato export value reached its lowest point in 2018 at 25 thousand US dollars, then climbed to a peak of 333 thousand US dollars in 2019, representing a 13.3-fold swing. In 2020, export value fell to 51 thousand US dollars, marking an 84.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 1 226.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Côte d'Ivoire concentrated most of Mali's potato exports in value terms, taking 75.7% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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

Imports potato to Mali

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, Mali's potato imports increased in 2020. Imports totaled 29 684 tonnes, marking a notable 14.7% uptick compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 36.5%, with an average annual decline of 14.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 25 884 tonnes, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 27.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets—the Netherlands, Morocco, and France—dominated Mali's potato imports in volume, together accounting for 89.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year reduction, Mali's potato import value increased in 2020. The country imported 13 536 thousand US dollars worth of potatoes, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 24.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 738 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (38.7% of import value), France (32.0% of import value), and Morocco (20.7% of import value) remained the leading sources in Mali's import structure, together accounting for 91.5% of total flows.

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

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