Potato market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

Summer drought in 2018 reduced potato yields, limiting production and market volume. Recovery in 2019 led to a sharp increase in market volume to 892 thousand tonnes, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted consumer interest in potatoes, supporting high consumption levels.

In 2021, the yield of table potatoes fell by 8%, reducing production and market volume to 856 thousand tonnes. However, in 2022, yields rebounded by 9%, helping the market recover to 894 thousand tonnes.

In 2023, the planted area for potatoes shrank to a record low, leading to a drop in production and market volume to 825 thousand tonnes. New quality standards introduced in 2022 simplified potato grading rules, while consumer interest remained strong with growing popularity of alternative preparation methods.

Production potato in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Sweden has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Sweden produced 877.2 K t of potatoes, marking a 3.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 723.0 K t, which represented a 15.2% decline from the previous year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with production surging by 17.1%.

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

Exports potato from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's potato exports have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 10 334 t of potatoes, showing a sharp increase of 30.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 62.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 17.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway, Finland, and Denmark were the main destinations for Sweden's potato exports by volume. Norway accounted for 43.2% of exports, Finland for 25.4%, and Denmark for 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 82.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Sweden's potato exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 6 009 K $ US, reflecting a slight decrease of 1.1% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports increased by 75.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 6 076 K $ US, when exports saw their largest increase of 60.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland, Norway, and Denmark were the primary destinations for Sweden's potato exports by value. Finland accounted for 45.1% of export value, Norway for 18.3%, and Denmark for 16.8%. Collectively, these three countries made up 80.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports potato to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, potato imports into Sweden declined. In 2020, imports totaled 39 814 t, representing a significant drop of 25.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 53 391 t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with imports rising by 14.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands were the leading sources of potato imports into Sweden by volume. Denmark accounted for 46.5% of imports, Finland for 19.7%, and the Netherlands for 10.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 76.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increase, potato imports into Sweden in value terms fell. In 2020, imports reached 21 601 K $ US, indicating a substantial decline of 24.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 0.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 28 535 K $ US, when imports experienced their largest increase of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main sources of potato imports into Sweden by value. Denmark accounted for 33.3% of import value, the Netherlands for 20.5%, and Germany for 13.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 67.2% of total import flows.

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

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