Potato market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in Pakistan expanded significantly from 3.9 million tons in 2018 to 7.6 million tons in 2023. This growth accelerated notably after 2020, with production surging to drive the market volume upward.

A key development was the volatility in wheat prices and the absence of government price announcements in 2022, which affected the broader agricultural commodities market. This environment likely made potato cultivation more attractive to farmers, contributing to a sharp rise in production that year. Subsequently, the increased adoption of digital agriculture and mobile internet access for market information in 2023 enabled farmers to make better-informed planting and sales decisions, helping to sustain the market's expansion.

By 2023, the domestic market volume reached its peak for the period, supported by these evolving conditions in the agricultural sector.

Production potato in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Pakistan ranked as the 17th largest potato producer during the 2017-2020 period.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Pakistan's potato production experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 4 553 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production increased by 18.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 869 thousand tonnes, while the most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 19.2%.

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

Exports potato from Pakistan

Exports in kind, K t

Pakistan's potato exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 274.5 thousand tonnes of potatoes, representing a substantial 56.1% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 33.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 691.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 66.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka consistently served as Pakistan's primary export destinations for potatoes by volume. Afghanistan accounted for 33.1% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 19.6%, and Sri Lanka for 16.9%. Together, these three countries represented 69.7% of Pakistan's total potato export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Pakistan's potato export revenues declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, potato exports generated $69.8 million, showing a sharp 39.4% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export revenues fell by 13.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.8%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at $121.5 million, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 50.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka remained the leading buyers of Pakistani potatoes by value. Afghanistan accounted for 35.9% of export revenues, the United Arab Emirates for 16.5%, and Sri Lanka for 16.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 68.8% of Pakistan's total potato export earnings.

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

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

Imports potato to Pakistan

Imports in kind, K t

Pakistan's potato import volumes showed significant fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 5.4 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 50.7 thousand tonnes, representing a 9.4-fold increase between these years. The 2020 import volume marked a dramatic 753.2% surge compared to the previous year. The most substantial annual decline occurred in 2018 at 32.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Iran, and Germany dominated Pakistan's potato imports by volume. The Netherlands supplied 43.1% of imports, Iran 31.3%, and Germany 13.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 87.3% of Pakistan's total potato import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Pakistan's potato import expenditures exhibited considerable volatility during this period. Import values reached their lowest level in 2018 at $4.4 million and peaked in 2020 at $19.2 million, representing a 4.3-fold difference. The 2020 import value showed a sharp 314.5% increase compared to 2019. The most significant annual decrease occurred in 2018 at 24.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands and Iran served as the primary sources for Pakistan's potato imports by value, jointly accounting for 81.0% of total import expenditures. Other countries contributed relatively smaller shares to Pakistan's import market.

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

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