Potato market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

Potato production in Turkey rose from 4.55 million tons in 2018 to 5.70 million tons in 2023, supported by government subsidies for agricultural inputs. Subsidies for diesel fuel, fertilizers, and certified seeds, introduced in 2018 and later increased to 193 TL per decare in 2023, lowered production costs and encouraged area expansion. Simultaneously, the growth of frozen potato and chip processing capacity boosted industrial demand for raw potatoes, further driving production.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused significant price volatility but also increased consumer demand for frozen foods, supporting potato consumption. In 2021, state promotion of exports led to a sharp rise in overseas sales, which reduced domestic market volume that year even as production remained stable. These export incentives, along with ongoing subsidies, helped maintain farmer engagement during periods of price fluctuation.

Despite the spread of potato wart disease from 2022 onward, production continued to grow. This was facilitated by the development and transfer of local potato varieties to the private sector, enhancing yield and resilience. By 2024, the government launched campaigns to increase potato use in mass catering, while new strict regulations for food labels targeting terms like 'daily' and 'natural' began to influence market practices.

Production potato Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey maintained the 15th position globally in potato production volume.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Turkey's potato production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5 200 K t of potatoes, marking a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 4 550 K t, which represented a 5.2% decline. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 9.4% rise.

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

Exports potato to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

Potato exports from Turkey declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Turkey exported 128.4 K t of potatoes, down 30.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 37.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 14.5%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 260.4 K t, which saw a 26.6% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Turkey's potato exports in volume terms were Iraq, accounting for 47.7% of exports, Syria at 31.1%, and Azerbaijan at 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented 85.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Turkey's potato exports totaled 24 453 K US dollars, a decrease of 41.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports in value terms dropped by 12.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 42 106 K US dollars, which saw a 58.3% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Turkey's potato exports in value terms were Iraq, with 48.8% of exports, Syria at 26.5%, and Azerbaijan at 6.9%. Collectively, these markets absorbed 82.2% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports potato in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Turkey imported 27.7 K t of potatoes, a 77.5% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 123.4 K t, which saw a 457.5% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of potatoes to Turkey in volume terms were Egypt, contributing 39.4% of imports, the Netherlands at 23.0%, and Germany at 11.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.9-fold increase between these years. In 2020, potato deliveries to Turkey stood at 17 194 K US dollars, down 69.3% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 55 972 K US dollars, which saw a 267.1% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest contributors to Turkey's potato imports in value terms were the Netherlands and Egypt, each accounting for 32.4%, and Germany at 11.3%. Together, these three suppliers made up 76.1% of total import flows.

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

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