Africa: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in Africa

The African potato market expanded to $X in 2021, rising by 3.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Potato Production in Africa

In value terms, potato production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 28% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Egypt (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), together accounting for 48% of total production. Kenya, Morocco, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan, Angola and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Sudan (with a CAGR of +3.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average potato yield amounted to X tons per ha in 2021, leveling off at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 2.7%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The potato harvested area declined slightly to X ha in 2021, leveling off at 2020 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Potato Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of potatoes exported in Africa fell rapidly to X tons, which is down by -18% on 2020. Total exports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -37.9% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 74%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato exports reduced remarkably to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -34.9% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 62% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons) was the main exporter of potatoes, achieving 53% of total exports. South Africa (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Kenya (X tons) and Ethiopia (X tons). All these countries together held near 43% share of total exports. Morocco (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to potato exports from Egypt stood at +3.6%. At the same time, Kenya (+59.5%) and South Africa (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kenya emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +59.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Morocco (-1.6%) and Ethiopia (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Kenya (+9.7 p.p.) and Egypt (+3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Morocco (-1.7 p.p.), Ethiopia (-3.7 p.p.) and South Africa (-4.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest potato supplier in Africa, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Ethiopia, with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Egypt stood at +2.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+1.4% per year) and Ethiopia (-3.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 23%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Kenya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+0.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Potato Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of potatoes increased by 7.1% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 19%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports rose notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons), followed by Mozambique (X tons), Uganda (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Mauritania (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Mali (X tons) represented the key importers of potatoes, together creating 63% of total imports. Morocco (X tons), Somalia (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Namibia (X tons), Botswana (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Uganda (with a CAGR of +50.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported potatoes in Africa, comprising 28% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Algeria ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Morocco, with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Egypt was relatively modest. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Algeria (-10.1% per year) and Morocco (-2.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, rising by 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Uganda ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+8.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :