Potato market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh potato market in the MENA region fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 19 201 thousand tons and reaching 21 208 thousand tons by the end of the period. After a notable increase in 2019, consumption dipped slightly in 2020 and more significantly in 2021, before returning to growth in the following two years.

During the market contraction in 2021, the region saw increased digitization of fruit and vegetable supply chains and a strategic partnership between Indian agri-tech firm KissanPro and Dubai's Barakat Vegetables & Fruit Co, which facilitated access to agricultural produce in the Middle East. These developments aimed at improving supply chain efficiency but did not immediately reverse the overall demand trend.

The market recovery from 2022 onward coincided with Egypt's preparations to boost fried potato export capacity by 50% by 2024, backed by government trade agreements such as GAFTA. At the same time, investments in advanced cold‑chain logistics in the UAE, driven by rising demand for temperature‑sensitive goods, enhanced the infrastructure for distributing fresh potatoes across the region. In 2024, Egypt continued to strengthen its potato processing capabilities and expand exports to over 30 countries, supported by ongoing government policies and trade agreements.

Production potato in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in the MENA region has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 20 910 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a steady increase of 7.3% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18 804 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.0% during this timeframe.

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

Exports potato from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Potato exports from the MENA region have rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, exports reached 1 669 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 55.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 072 thousand tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 27.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, potato exports from the MENA region were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Russia accounted for 13.6% of exports in volume, Afghanistan for 8.1%, and Azerbaijan for 4.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 26.5% of total export flows, highlighting the broad geographical spread of MENA's potato exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of potato exports from the MENA region amounted to 477.6 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate decline of 8.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 14.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The largest increase in export value was recorded in 2019 at 0.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of potato exports from the MENA region was spread across numerous partner countries. Russia accounted for 16.0% of export value, Greece for 5.7%, and the United Kingdom for 5.4%. Combined, these three countries represented only 27.1% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified export market in value terms.

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

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

Imports potato to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Potato imports into the MENA region have decreased after two years of growth. In 2020, imports totaled 1 107 thousand tonnes, representing a significant year-on-year decline of 49.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 9.3%, with an average annual decrease of 3.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 200 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 43.0% during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, potato imports into the MENA region came from a wide array of partner countries. The Netherlands accounted for 16.3% of imports in volume, Pakistan for 13.9%, and Turkey for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 40.8% of total import flows, demonstrating the diverse sourcing of potato imports into the region.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of potato imports into the MENA region has fallen after two years of growth. In 2020, import value reached 556.8 million US dollars, showing a substantial contraction of 18.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 13.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 680.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.6% during this timeframe.

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

The market for potato imports into the MENA region in value terms was highly diversified from 2017 to 2020. The Netherlands accounted for 28.0% of import value, France for 9.5%, and the United Kingdom for 6.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 44.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 55.6% shared among numerous other countries, underscoring the broad base of import sources.

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

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