CIS: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in CIS

The CIS potato market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, growing by 1.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a pronounced reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potato Production in CIS

In value terms, potato production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Russia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of potato production, accounting for 56% of total volume. Moreover, potato production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Belarus (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Kazakhstan (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in Russia stood at -3.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belarus (-2.2% per year) and Kazakhstan (+2.7% per year).

In 2021, the average potato yield in the CIS rose slightly to X tons per ha, with an increase of 2.6% compared with the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 5.5%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of potatoes were harvested in the CIS; surging by 1.8% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a perceptible descent. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production attained the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potato Exports

Exports in CIS

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of potatoes, when their volume decreased by -19.9% to X tons. In general, exports, however, posted a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 113%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports reduced modestly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 123% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Belarus was the main exporter of potatoes in the CIS, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 54% of total exports in 2021. Russia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 23% share, followed by Azerbaijan (15%) and Kyrgyzstan (6.6%).

Belarus was also the fastest-growing in terms of the potatoes exports, with a CAGR of +24.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Russia (+20.2%) and Azerbaijan (+5.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Kyrgyzstan (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Belarus (+31 p.p.) and Russia (+10 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Azerbaijan (-13.3 p.p.) and Kyrgyzstan (-22.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest potato supplying countries in the CIS were Belarus ($X), Azerbaijan ($X) and Russia ($X), together comprising 94% of total exports.

Belarus, with a CAGR of +27.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the CIS amounted to $X per ton, rising by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Azerbaijan ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Azerbaijan (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Potato Imports

Imports in CIS

Potato imports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 28% compared with 2020. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +44.4% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 88% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, potato imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +60.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 108% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Russia (X tons) and Uzbekistan (X tons) were the main importers of potatoes in 2021, reaching approx. 43% and 31% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Azerbaijan (X tons), achieving a 17% share of total imports. Kazakhstan (X tons), Belarus (X tons) and Moldova (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Belarus (with a CAGR of +21.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported potatoes in the CIS, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Uzbekistan ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Azerbaijan, with a 15% share.

In Russia, potato imports increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Uzbekistan (+17.1% per year) and Azerbaijan (+29.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the CIS stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 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 Russia ($X per ton), while Uzbekistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Azerbaijan (+12.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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