Potato market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh potato market volume in Western Europe grew from 24.5 million tonnes in 2018 to 27.6 million tonnes in 2023. After a 22% surge to 30.0 million tonnes in 2019, volume stabilized in 2020 before declining in 2021-2022 to 26.6 million tonnes. Recovery in 2023 was partly driven by record Belgian production, where high contract prices boosted output despite difficult growing conditions.

Market value showed more volatility, falling from USD 15.7 billion in 2019 to USD 12.6 billion in 2020 and then climbing to USD 16.6 billion in 2023. The sharp value increase in 2023, alongside moderate volume growth, reflected substantial potato price hikes in France and Belgium due to supply tightness and elevated production costs.

Underlying these movements was a shift in global demand toward processed potato formats like chilled, dehydrated, or par-fried products. This trend encouraged industry investments, such as the new Clarebout processing plant in Dunkirk, while environmental and phytosanitary regulations in France added compliance pressures. By 2024, expanded planting areas in Germany and France indicated ongoing adjustments to meet demand for processing potatoes.

Production potato in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Western Europe's potato production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 32 877 K t of potatoes, marking a gradual year-over-year gain of 4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 27 014 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 18.7%. The following year, in 2019, production rebounded with the largest increase of 16.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, potato production in Western Europe declined in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 13 441 M $ US, representing an 18.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 7.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 16 507 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 27.9%.

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

Exports potato from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Potato exports from Western Europe rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 5 264 K t of potatoes, showing a strong advance of 11.3% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 244 K t, which experienced the largest decline of 20.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports growing by 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, potato exports from Western Europe were distributed across many countries. Spain accounted for 9.3% of exports in kind, Italy for 7.5%, and Portugal for 2.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 19.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of potato exports from Western Europe declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 152 M $ US, down by 13.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 492 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 22.9%.

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

An analysis of potato exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Spain contributed 10.5% of exports in value terms, Italy 7.9%, and Portugal 2.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 21.2% of total flows, with the remaining 78.8% going to other partners.

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

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

Imports potato to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes in potato imports, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 743 K t and peaked in 2019 at 3 390 K t, showing a 1.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Western Europe's potato imports totaled 2 825 K t, representing a 16.6% drop compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with imports surging by 94.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, potato imports in kind were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Spain accounted for 2.7% of imports in kind, Israel for 1.6%, and Egypt for 1.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 5.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of potato imports into Western Europe declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 351 M $ US, down by 21.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 723 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 30.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Israel, and Egypt played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of potatoes to Western Europe in value terms. Spain accounted for 6.5% of imports in value terms, Israel for 3.3%, and Egypt for 2.7%. Their combined share reached only 12.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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