Potato market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Slovenia's fresh potato market fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2024, ranging from approximately 85 000 tonnes to 117 000 tonnes. After a sharp contraction in 2021, the market recovered over the next two years, returning to near its 2020 peak by 2023.

Market developments in 2023 were supported by the introduction of a recommended potato variety list, which promoted disease-resistant strains adapted to local growing conditions and consumer cooking preferences. This initiative, alongside a European project connecting 60 local producers from different regions, helped strengthen supply chains and distribution networks.

In 2024, the updated official variety list further emphasized new blight-resistant cultivars, encouraging more ecological production with reduced pesticide use. However, the market faced pressure from traders pushing purchase prices below production costs, contributing to oversupply issues and challenges in storing and marketing Slovenian potatoes.

Production potato in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Slovenia's potato production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 65 960 tonnes, with a significant drop of 9.5% that year. However, by 2020, output surged to 89 880 tonnes, marking a sharp 36.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Exports potato from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Slovenia's potato exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 30 380 tonnes, showing a 5.3-fold difference between these extremes. In 2018, exports saw the largest increase of 186.1%. By 2020, exports fell to 21 976 tonnes, a 27.7% decrease year-over-year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Croatia were the top destinations for Slovenia's potato exports by volume. Germany accounted for 52.8% of exports, Poland for 14.9%, and Croatia for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 77.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Slovenia's potato export values bottomed out in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 17 745 thousand US dollars, with a 6.1-fold difference between these years. In 2019, exports also recorded the largest increase of 183.1%. By 2020, export values dropped to 10 278 thousand US dollars, a 42.1% decline compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Poland, and Croatia were the primary buyers of Slovenian potatoes by value. Germany contributed 56.4% of export value, Poland 13.1%, and Croatia 9.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports potato to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

Slovenia's potato imports declined after two years of growth. In 2019, imports reached their highest level at 56 997 tonnes, with the largest increase of 35.6% recorded that year. However, by 2020, imports fell to 49 135 tonnes, a solid 13.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall increased by 24.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, France, and Germany were the largest suppliers of potatoes to Slovenia by volume. Egypt provided 49.7% of imports, France 11.8%, and Germany 9.8%. Together, these three countries made up 71.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Slovenia's potato import values decreased following two years of increase. In 2019, imports peaked at 30 979 thousand US dollars, with the largest rise of 44.9% occurring that year. By 2020, import values dropped to 24 568 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 20.7% decline year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 span, import values grew by 51.5%, averaging an annual increase of 14.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Egypt, the Netherlands, and Germany were the key partners for Slovenia's potato imports by value. Egypt accounted for 51.0% of import value, the Netherlands for 9.6%, and Germany for 8.7%. Combined, these three countries represented 69.2% of total import flows.

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

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