Potato market in Nigeria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Nigerian potato market volume fluctuated, reaching a peak of 1 249 thousand tonnes in 2020. This increase was supported by government-financed irrigation corridors in Kaduna and Plateau States, which lifted yields, alongside rising urban consumption that drove demand and led to higher imports.

The market then stabilized, with a slight decline to 1 226 thousand tonnes in 2021 and a marginal increase to 1 228 thousand tonnes in 2022. During this period, regulatory developments such as the pending Food Safety and Quality Bill aimed to strengthen food safety controls for fresh produce, including potatoes.

In 2023, the market volume grew to 1 241 thousand tonnes. This rise was facilitated by a significant increase in potato imports, particularly from China and South Africa, as well as continued efforts to standardize packaging and meet good agricultural practice requirements for market improvement.

Production potato in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Nigeria's potato production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 1 211 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output increased by 2.9% to reach 1 246 thousand tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018, when production fell by 1.3%.

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

Exports potato from Nigeria

Exports in kind, t

Nigeria's potato exports in 2020 totaled 1 282 tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports surged dramatically by 427 247.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1 522.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria's potato exports were highly concentrated geographically. Ghana accounted for 100.0% of all export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Nigeria exported potatoes worth 547 thousand US dollars, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, export values increased by 31 734.5%, representing an annualized growth rate of 582.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Ghana dominated Nigeria's potato exports in value terms, accounting for 99.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Nigeria

Imports in kind, t

Nigeria's potato imports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 1 432 tonnes, marking a decline of 52.4% from the previous year. The following year saw the largest increase, with imports jumping 64.6% to reach 2 256 tonnes. In 2020, imports continued to rise, reaching 3 712 tonnes - a 57.5% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, total imports grew by 23.3%, representing an annualized growth rate of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were Nigeria's principal potato suppliers. China accounted for 35.6% of imports by volume, the United Kingdom for 34.5%, and the Netherlands for 12.3%. Together, these three countries supplied 82.4% of Nigeria'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 Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Nigeria's potato import market showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, import values hit their lowest point at 1 353 thousand US dollars, declining by 1.8% from the previous year. The market then rebounded strongly, with import values peaking in 2020 at 3 593 thousand US dollars - a steep 73.3% increase compared to 2019. The difference between the 2018 low and 2020 high represents a 2.7-fold increase.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, China, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands formed the core of Nigeria's potato imports by value. China accounted for 45.2% of import value, the United Kingdom for 23.8%, and the Netherlands for 8.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 77.5% of Nigeria's total potato import value during these years.

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

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