Potato market in Oman

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled potatoes in Oman expanded from 112.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 121.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, driven by steady import growth. After this peak, the total market volume began a multi-year contraction, falling to 110.0 thousand tonnes in 2022 and then more sharply to 94.9 thousand tonnes in 2023.

This later period was marked by significant developments in domestic supply and infrastructure. In 2023, the Ministry of Environment and Water announced a 47% increase in Oman's overall potato production over two years, boosting the availability of local produce. Furthermore, construction began in 2022 on the major 'Sall' wholesale fruit and vegetable market in the Khazaen Economic City, a key logistics project designed to enhance the distribution network for fresh produce upon its completion.

Entering 2024, the sector saw a substantial rise in imports to 151.6 thousand tonnes. During the same year, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion launched several industrial support initiatives, including the 'Smart Production Factories' program and the 'Itqan' scheme, aimed at modernizing the food manufacturing sector. Concurrently, regional regulatory changes, such as Egypt's new import rules concerning brown rot disease, and global factors like increased seed potato prices due to European climate issues, introduced new dynamics to the supply landscape.

Production potato in Oman

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Oman's potato production increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 16 146 tonnes of potatoes, marking a 2.4% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15 613 tonnes, with the largest decline of 0.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports potato from Oman

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Oman exported 4.4 thousand tonnes of potatoes, representing a significant 67.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 124.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 30.9%. The largest decline was observed in 2019, when exports fell by 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain—collectively accounted for 85.0% of Oman's total potato exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 056 thousand US dollars, while the highest was reached in 2020 at 2 150 thousand US dollars, reflecting a two-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Oman's potato exports amounted to 2 150 thousand US dollars, which is 5.7% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 5.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 92.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain formed the core of Oman's potato exports by value. Qatar accounted for 58.1% of export value, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 10.4% and Bahrain at 9.9%. Together, these three markets represented 78.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Oman

Imports in kind, K t

Potato imports into Oman rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 109.7 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate 4.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 100.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 0.7% also occurring that year. The largest increase was in 2019, when imports rose by 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and India were the main sources of potato imports into Oman by volume. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 31.7% of imports, Pakistan for 27.2%, and India for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 71.6% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Potato imports into Oman increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were recorded at 47 047 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 58.7% uptick compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 37.9%, equating to an average annual rate of 11.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 29 178 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 14.5% also occurring that year.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Pakistan made the biggest contributions to Oman's potato imports by value. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 33.8% of import value, Egypt for 16.8%, and Pakistan for 15.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 65.7% of total import flows.

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

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