EU: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in the EU

The EU potato market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, picking up by 4.8% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Potato Production in the EU

In value terms, potato production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Poland (X tons), together accounting for 51% of total production. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania and Denmark, which together accounted for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Denmark (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average potato yield fell modestly to X tons per ha in 2021, waning by -4.5% against 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the potato yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2020, and then reduced in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the harvested area of potatoes in the European Union expanded to X ha, with an increase of 2.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 2.6%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Potato Exports

Exports in the EU

Potato exports was estimated at X tons in 2021, surging by 3.7% on 2020. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 20%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, potato exports stood at $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of potatoes, namely France, the Netherlands and Germany, represented more than two-thirds of total export. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), making up an 11% share of total exports. Spain (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Spain (with a CAGR of +3.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest potato supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 75% share of total exports. Belgium, Spain and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +3.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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 European Union amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -2.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 32%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potato Imports

Imports in the EU

Potato imports totaled X tons in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato imports reached $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -20.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 49%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Belgium (X tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Germany (X tons) represented the main importers of potatoes, together generating 77% of total imports. The following importers - Portugal (X tons), France (X tons), Austria (X tons), Romania (X tons), Greece (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Poland (X tons) - together made up 17% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in France (with a CAGR of +10.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Spain ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 54% share of total imports. Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Among the main importing countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +11.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 40%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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