Potato market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in Southern Europe experienced notable volume changes from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 7 027 thousand tons in 2018, consumption rose to 7 962 thousand tons in 2019, partly supported by retail efforts that promoted potatoes as a healthy vegetable through baking and air-frying methods. However, a multi-year decline followed, with volume falling to 7 371 thousand tons by 2022. This reduction was driven by adverse weather conditions in Spain, which lowered yields and reduced the area planted, exacerbated by persistent water scarcity and farmer uncertainty over profitability.

Market volume recovered to 7 836 thousand tons in 2023. A key factor was a 31.7% contraction in fresh potato exports compared to 2022, which increased domestic supply. Continued production challenges in Spain due to unfavorable climate and water shortages kept local output under pressure, while active demand from both industrial processors and fresh consumption helped lift overall volume despite inflationary pressures influencing consumer choices.

Production potato in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2019, Southern Europe recorded its highest potato production at 6 301 K t, marking an 8.2% increase. This was followed by a slight decline to 6 203 K t in 2020, down 1.6% from the previous year. The lowest production occurred in 2018 at 5 825 K t, which represented a 6.4% decrease.

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

Exports potato from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's potato exports reached their peak in 2019 at 547 K t, a significant 65.2% increase. In 2020, exports fell to 479 K t, down 12.6% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 331 K t, reflecting an 18.1% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 18.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's potato exports were widely distributed across many countries. Germany accounted for 17.7% of exports, France for 8.5%, and Poland for 6.5%, together making up 32.7% of total flows. The remaining 67.3% went to numerous other partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's potato exports in value terms peaked in 2019 at 331.1 M $ US, showing a 35.7% increase. In 2020, after two years of growth, exports declined to 224.0 M $ US, a sharp drop of 32.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.7%, with an average annual rate of 1.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's potato exports in value terms were highly diversified across partner countries. Germany represented 22.8% of exports, France 10.8%, and Belgium 7.7%, together accounting for 41.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's potato imports peaked in 2019 at 2 208 K t, a substantial 44.1% increase. In 2020, imports decreased to 2 122 K t, down 3.9% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 1 533 K t, reflecting a 21.0% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 9.3%, with an average annual rate of 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the leading supplier of potatoes to Southern Europe, accounting for 47.6% of imports in kind. The Netherlands contributed 10.2%, and Egypt 8.6%, with these three countries together representing 66.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's potato imports in value terms reached their highest point in 2019 at 923.9 M $ US, a 29.3% increase. In 2020, after two years of growth, imports declined to 761.5 M $ US, a significant drop of 17.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 14.9%, with an average annual rate of 4.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France dominated Southern Europe's potato imports in value terms, accounting for 43.4%. The Netherlands followed with 15.8%, and Egypt with 9.8%, with these three countries together making up 69.0% of total flows.

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

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