Potato market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

Serbia's potato market volume experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 517 thousand tons in 2018, it jumped sharply to 723 thousand tons in 2019. This was followed by a multi-year decline, with the market shrinking to 623 thousand tons in 2021 and 569 thousand tons in 2022, before recovering to 652 thousand tons in 2023.

During the market contraction in 2022, production of young potatoes was reported to be good with solid yields and quality, especially in the Leskovac region, where producers remained confident in profitability and sales for the domestic market. This period also saw industry calls for investment in cold storage infrastructure and the formation of producer cooperatives to improve market coordination. Concurrently, shifts in consumer habits, including Generation Z's greater focus on healthy living and a growing preference for domestic over imported produce, began to influence demand dynamics for potatoes.

Production potato in Serbia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2020, Serbia produced 664.9 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a 5.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 487.9 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 702.1 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 17.2% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2019 with a 43.9% rise.

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

Exports potato from Serbia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2 793 tonnes and peaked in 2017, showing a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, potato deliveries from Serbia totaled 8 036 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 29.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 84.3%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with a 307.2% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Serbia's potato exports in kind were Bosnia and Herzegovina (21.6% of exports), Montenegro (19.9% of exports), and North Macedonia (14.2% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 55.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior showed volatility during these years. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2018 at 880 thousand US dollars and reached their maximum in 2017, with a 4.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, potato exports from Serbia amounted to 2 348 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a year-on-year decline of 28.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 79.5%, while the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 272.8% rise.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the top buyers of Serbian potatoes in value terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina (23.8% of exports), Russia (22.5% of exports), and Montenegro (19.5% of exports). Their combined share reached 65.8% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports potato to Serbia

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import volumes dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to a maximum in 2019, showing a 3.2-fold shift. In 2020, Serbia imported 13 586 tonnes of potatoes, down by 57.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 212.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of potatoes to Serbia in kind were the Netherlands (24.2% of imports), France (23.4% of imports), and Russia (11.9% of imports). Together, these three countries formed 59.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations marked market performance during the period. Imports in value terms reached a trough in 2017 and a peak in 2019, with a 4.1-fold gap. In 2020, Serbia imported potatoes worth 12 717 thousand US dollars, constituting a sharp reduction of 52.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 195.3% rise.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands (32.6% of imports in value terms), France (19.5% of imports in value terms), and Russia (13.5% of imports in value terms) accounted for the largest share of imports. Together, they comprised 65.6% of total flows.

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

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