Market research

Potato market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded from 17.0 million tonnes in 2018 to 18.2 million tonnes in 2023, supported by rising consumption from fast food chains and urban populations. During this period, the industry benefited from policy frameworks like the National Potato Strategy and increased focus on certified seeds, with new players like Agrico Potato Services Africa entering the seed market, and irrigation to boost yields.

Public awareness campaigns, such as the #BoycottKFC movement in 2021, pressured fast food outlets to source more potatoes locally, contributing to a notable production increase that year. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused temporary supply chain disruptions, but government support for farmers and emphasis on climate-smart practices helped maintain market stability.

Continued investments in cold storage, packaging, and value-added processing reduced post-harvest losses and improved market appeal. While climate variability and water stress posed challenges, the adoption of irrigation and drought-resistant varieties allowed production to grow steadily through 2023.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production potato in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa produced 16,673 thousand tonnes of potatoes, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 16,681 thousand tonnes, which also marked the largest annual increase of 8.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.9%	(0.4%)	0.3%	2.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports potato from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 32.7 thousand tonnes, which represented the largest decline of 31.5% that year. By 2020, exports peaked at 127.3 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 243.9% compared to 2019. Overall, exports varied by 3.9-fold between these years.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(31.5%)	13.3%	243.9%	38.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Special Categories remained the primary and most stable destination for potato exports in kind, accounting for 0.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Potato shipments from Sub-Saharan Africa to foreign markets declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value totaled 56.9 million US dollars, indicating a gradual year-over-year drop of 7.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 22.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.7%)	(2.8%)	(7.1%)	(8.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the key buyers of potatoes from Sub-Saharan Africa were Special Categories and the United Arab Emirates, whose combined share reached 1.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports potato to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Sub-Saharan Africa's potato imports increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 360.7 thousand tonnes, up by 29.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 278.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.6%)	(17.1%)	29.3%	(3.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for potato imports in kind to Sub-Saharan Africa were the Netherlands, accounting for 41.6% of imports, France with 6.2%, and Morocco with 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented 52.8% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Sub-Saharan Africa's potato imports rose. In 2020, imports amounted to 136.6 million US dollars, increasing by 23.5% over the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 110.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.8%)	(17.2%)	23.5%	(0.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, potato imports in value terms to Sub-Saharan Africa were not heavily concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 29.8% of imports, France for 9.9%, and India for 3.6%, with these three countries together capturing only 43.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io