Potato market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, a tariff reduction on chipping potatoes in 2017 facilitated increased imports from the United States, altering market competition. Concurrently, declining farmgate prices for potatoes in the Cordillera region during 2018 and 2019 affected grower incomes and contributed to a gradual decrease in domestic production. Despite this, import volumes grew steadily, helping to keep the total market volume stable at around 140 thousand tons.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 triggered global supply chain disruptions, causing delays and shortages of potato products in the Philippines. Coupled with broader environmental factors impacting potato quality worldwide, these events led to a significant drop in production to 103 thousand tons. The following year, an ongoing global potato shortage—particularly affecting frozen potatoes widely used by fast-food chains—resulted in product rationing and further increased reliance on imports, which reached 28.8 thousand tons.

In 2023, typhoon damage to agriculture spurred a sharp price increase for potatoes, tightening supply. In response, government agencies and agricultural institutions initiated training and production programs to introduce potato farming in new areas such as Los Baños, aiming to stabilize future supply. At the same time, rising consumer interest in Western-style dishes boosted demand in local markets, sustaining high import levels despite production challenges.

Production potato in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in the Philippines has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 113.6 thousand tons of potatoes, showing a slight contraction of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%.

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

Exports potato from the Philippines

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 78 times. In 2020, the Philippines exported just 0.4 tons of potatoes, representing a sharp decrease of 98.7% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 32 tons, with the largest increase that year reaching 1 659.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Hong Kong dominated potato exports in kind, together accounting for 99.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over this period. Export volumes declined to their lowest level in 2020 after peaking in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 25 times. In 2020, the Philippines exported 1 thousand US dollars worth of potatoes, down by 95.9% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 15 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year reaching 404.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two countries—the United States and Hong Kong—concentrated the majority of potato exports in value terms, with a combined share of 99.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to the Philippines

Imports in kind, t

Potato imports to the Philippines increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 27 246 tons, marking an increase of 15.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 31.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for potato imports in kind to the Philippines were the United States (52.1% of imports in kind), Germany (26.4% of imports in kind), and Australia (16.3% of imports in kind), which together accounted for 94.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Potato imports to the Philippines rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 12 863 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a strong increase of 12.9% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 41%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States (54.4% of imports in value terms), Germany (22.4% of imports in value terms), and Australia (17.5% of imports in value terms) formed the core of potato imports in value terms, together taking 94.3% of total flows.

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

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