Potato market in Malta

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Maltese potato market volume remained around 12 000 tons. Local production was constrained by shortage of rainfall and reduced arable land, while competition from imported potatoes, including mislabelled North African produce, challenged domestic growers. Increased imports in 2019 helped maintain overall supply.

Market volume declined to 10 399 tons in 2020 and fell further to 9 355 tons in 2021. Adverse weather conditions, including storms and wind, damaged potato crops, reducing harvests. An ageing agricultural workforce and limited land availability also limited output during these years.

The market recovered from 2022 onward, reaching 13 373 tons in 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by changing consumer preferences demanding year-round availability, which increased reliance on imports. Potato imports surged to 6 266 tons in 2023, while exports shrank. Local initiatives like the 'Malta Farm Map' supported sustainable farming, but the market's growth came mainly from imported volumes.

Production potato in Malta

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Malta has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Malta produced 7 990 tonnes of potatoes, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 11.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 8.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 360 tonnes, with the largest increase of 7.1% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Malta's potato production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 005 thousand US dollars, down 36.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 21%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 6 256 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malta in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports potato from Malta

Exports in kind, t

Malta's potato export volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 302 tonnes, up 4.1% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 44.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 907 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 61.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 37.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands accounted for 75.5% of Malta's total potato exports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Malta exported potatoes worth 653 thousand US dollars, a 25.0% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 52.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 21.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 539 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 60.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 61.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands dominated Malta's potato export structure in value terms, accounting for 76.8% of total flows, while other destinations remained relatively minor.

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

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

Imports potato to Malta

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Malta's potato imports totaled 3 711 tonnes, a decrease of 21.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 28.1%, with an annualized rate of 10.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 546 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 31.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 33.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (50.0% of import volume), Italy (22.7%), and France (16.0%) were the main sources of Malta's potato imports, together comprising 88.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Malta's potato imports were valued at 2 011 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp drop of 29.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 13.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 869 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 29.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands (43.7% of import value), Italy (33.6%), and France (11.4%) together accounted for 88.7% of Malta's total potato import value, making them the primary sources.

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

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