Potato market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

Potato production in Saudi Arabia showed a steady upward trajectory from 482 000 t in 2018 to 622 000 t in 2023. After a slight stabilization in 2019, output jumped by 18.6% in 2020, driven by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's policies under Vision 2030 to enhance food security and a Saudi-Korean alliance to localize seed potato production, which reduced import dependence. Production continued to grow through 2021 and 2022, supported by investment opportunities in potato processing plants, and reached a record 621 800 t in 2023, with the ministry reporting a 47% increase over two years and a self-sufficiency rate of 86.8%.

The total potato market volume fluctuated significantly due to changes in imports. It surged to 845 200 t in 2019 as imports spiked to 371 300 t, then contracted to 609 800 t in 2020 when imports fell sharply to 47 400 t amid the push for greater self-sufficiency. Market size recovered to 790 000 t in 2022 with renewed import growth, but dropped again to 698 600 t in 2023 as rising domestic production and a focus on self-reliance reduced import needs to 77 100 t.

The market structure evolved with major investments in processing capacity. In 2023, Americana invested 375 million riyals to build a frozen French fry plant in Riyadh in partnership with Farm Frites, while Al Jouf Agricultural Development Company launched a large-scale potato chip factory with 90% government loan coverage. By 2024, three large Saudi food companies expanded into potato products, and new regulations on fresh produce imports and retail sales were introduced, affecting the distribution of fresh potatoes.

Production potato in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Saudi Arabia produced 562.3 thousand tons of potatoes in 2020, marking an 18.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 474.1 thousand tons, which saw a decline of 1.7%.

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

Exports potato from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Saudi Arabia exported 164 tons of potatoes, representing a 53.3% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports fell by 52.6%, translating to an annualized decline of 22.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 350 tons, which saw an increase of 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Kuwait formed the primary markets for Saudi Arabia's potato exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 40.9% of exports, Belgium for 33.7%, and Kuwait for 12.8%, collectively representing 87.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Potato exports from Saudi Arabia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports amounted to 74 thousand US dollars, down by 64.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports decreased by 64.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 29.3%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Belgium were the dominant destinations for Saudi Arabia's potato exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.5% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports potato to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

The market for potato imports in Saudi Arabia showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 371 298 tons, representing an 8.7-fold increase. In 2020, imports dropped to 47 444 tons, a sharp decline of 87.2% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 530.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Lebanon, and France were the key sources for Saudi Arabia's potato imports in volume terms. The Netherlands contributed 32.5% of imports, Lebanon 11.3%, and France 9.2%, together making up 53.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, potato imports into Saudi Arabia declined. In 2020, imports reached 26 316 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 43.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 18.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 46 595 thousand US dollars, which saw an increase of 45.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the principal sources for Saudi Arabia's potato imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 41.9% of imports, France for 9.9%, and Germany for 7.7%, collectively representing 59.5% of total import flows.

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

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