Potato market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled potatoes in Northern Europe saw significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Physical volume rose from 9.3 million tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 11.0 million tonnes in 2020, then contracted to 10.0 million tonnes in 2021, partially recovered to 10.2 million tonnes in 2022, and declined again to 9.9 million tonnes in 2023. In contrast, the market value showed steady growth from 2020 onward, climbing from $7.0 billion to $9.8 billion by 2023, indicating a trend of rising prices over the period.

The volume contraction in 2023 was primarily driven by adverse weather conditions in key producing countries. In Norway and Sweden, heavy rainfall during the growing season led to considerable variations in potato yield and quality, reducing the overall supply of fresh potatoes available on the market. Concurrently, structural shifts such as an expansion of potato cultivation area in Denmark—where larger farms increased production, particularly of industrial and seed potatoes—provided some support but were insufficient to offset the regional supply shortfall.

Production potato in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Northern Europe's potato production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 11 014 K t of potatoes, which represents a 4.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 341 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 17.5%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 12.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of potato output in Northern Europe was 4 797 M $ US, marking a decline of 10.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 2.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 407 M $ US, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 5 345 M $ US. The largest increase in value occurred in 2019, with a rise of 21.3%.

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

Exports potato from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, foreign potato supplies from Northern Europe declined. In 2020, the region exported 493.6 K t of potatoes, down by 10.5% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 551.4 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of potato exports in kind was highly diversified. Spain accounted for 15.5% of exports, Egypt for 11.5%, and Italy for 5.8%, together making up only 32.8% of total flows. The remaining 67.2% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of gains, exported potato volumes from Northern Europe declined. In 2020, the region exported 215.0 M $ US worth of potatoes, down by 23.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 279.6 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, potato exports in value terms from Northern Europe were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Egypt accounted for 17.4% of exports, Spain for 14.0%, and the Netherlands for 4.9%, together making up only 36.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of potatoes to Northern Europe reached 491.9 K t, corresponding to a drop of 7.3% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 485.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 9.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 9.4%.

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

The partner structure of potato imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Germany accounted for 20.9% of imports, Israel for 9.8%, and Belgium for 9.3%, together making up only 40.0% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of gains, Northern Europe's potato import volume declined. In 2020, the region imported approximately 281.7 M $ US worth of potatoes, down by 12.7% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 322.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 16.3%.

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

The partner structure of potato imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Belgium accounted for 14.7% of imports, Germany for 13.1%, and Israel for 10.1%, together making up only 37.9% of total flows, with no single country exceeding a dominant share.

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

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