Potato market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market volume in Northern Africa showed a clear upward trend from 2018 to 2023, growing from 12.5 million tons to 16 million tons. This expansion was primarily supported by rising domestic production, which increased from 12.7 million tons to over 16.3 million tons over the period. After a temporary decline in market size to 13.3 million tons in 2021, strong production recovery drove subsequent growth.

In 2024, regulatory and phytosanitary factors influencing access to international markets, notably in Africa, became more prominent. Concurrently, key developments in Europe, such as the expansion of cultivated areas and the commissioning of new processing plants like Clarebout in Dunkirk, increased processed potato volumes. These factors, alongside a reported rise in French exports of fresh and processed potatoes, shaped the trade environment for Northern Africa, where imports reached 388 thousand tons and exports were 685 thousand tons for the year.

Production potato in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Northern Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 14 464 thousand tonnes of potatoes, representing a 7.6% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 15.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, potato production in Northern Africa saw a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 400 million US dollars, down 6.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 26%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 803 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 18.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports potato from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Africa's potato exports totaled 642.1 thousand tonnes, a 1.7% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 23%, with an average annual decline of 8.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 550.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 34.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 18.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern Africa exported potatoes to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Russia, Greece, and Italy—collectively accounted for just 48.6% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Africa's potato exports were valued at 239.7 million US dollars, a 15.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 16%, with an average annual reduction of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 219.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 23.0%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 28.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Africa's potato exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Russia, Greece, and Italy were the top destinations, accounting for 31.1%, 11.4%, and 7.2% of export value, respectively. Together, they represented just 49.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, potato imports into Northern Africa amounted to 284.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 65.5% decrease from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 823.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 145.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom formed the core of Northern Africa's potato imports by volume. They accounted for 53.4%, 16.6%, and 14.9% of imports, respectively, together representing 84.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Potato imports into Northern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 168.4 million US dollars, a 25.3% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 31.1%, with an average annual decline of 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France were the leading suppliers of potatoes to Northern Africa in value terms. They accounted for 51.0%, 17.6%, and 17.0% of import value, respectively, with their combined share reaching 85.7% of total imports.

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

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