Potato market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in Western Asia increased from 10.0 million tons in 2018 to 11.3 million tons in 2020, supported by steady growth in domestic production. This period aligned with a broader shift in consumer preferences toward healthier snack options, exemplified by the February 2020 launch of frozen sweet potato products in Iceland.

After a contraction to 10.6 million tons in 2021, the market recovered to 11.1 million tons in 2022. This rebound coincided with reported growth in the frozen sweet potato market across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, reflecting rising regional demand for potato-based products. The market volume then stabilized at 11.2 million tons in 2023.

Global dynamics continued to shape the sector, with China's frozen potato exports surging past 155,100 tons in the first ten months of 2024 and ongoing research into potato storage and hybridization technologies influencing international supply chains.

Production potato in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Western Asia has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 10,508 thousand tons of potatoes, marking an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 9,183 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 3.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, potato production in Western Asia saw a decline in value. In 2020, the output was valued at 4,462 million US dollars, down 7.7% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4,835 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports potato from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Potato exports from Western Asia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 504 thousand tons, showing a modest 5.1% gain compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 403 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 28.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 19.0%.

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

The export structure for potato volumes from Western Asia remained diverse from 2017 to 2020. The United Kingdom accounted for 11.7% of exports, Russia for 10.5%, and the Netherlands for 5.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 27.8% of total exports, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, potato exports from Western Asia were valued at 214.1 million US dollars, a 10.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 12.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 211.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia exported potatoes to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—the United Kingdom, Russia, and Greece—collectively accounted for only 36.9% of total export value, indicating a broad distribution.

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

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

Imports potato to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, potato imports into Western Asia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1,267 thousand tons, down 31.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 1,853 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 47.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Pakistan, and Egypt were the main sources of potato imports into Western Asia. Iran accounted for 24.1% of imports by volume, Pakistan for 14.9%, and Egypt for 13.3%. Together, these three countries absorbed 52.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, potato imports into Western Asia declined in value. In 2020, imports stood at 468.0 million US dollars, a substantial 19.1% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 578.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, the Netherlands, and Egypt were the leading suppliers of potatoes to Western Asia in value terms. Iran accounted for 18.9% of imports, the Netherlands for 16.9%, and Egypt for 15.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 51.7% of total import value.

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

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