France: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in France

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the French potato market, when its value increased by 5.2% to $X. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -21.7% against 2018 indices. Potato consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Potato Production in France

In value terms, potato production rose remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -18.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 66%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, the average yield of potatoes in France stood at X tons per ha, approximately equating the year before. Overall, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 13%. The potato yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 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.

The potato harvested area in France fell to X ha in 2021, with a decrease of -1.7% on 2020 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 8.3% against the previous year. The potato harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Potato Exports

Exports from France

In 2021, approx. X tons of potatoes were exported from France; surging by 2.9% compared with 2020. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 55%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, potato exports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -19.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of potato exports from France, together accounting for 68% of total exports. Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Greece, Hungary and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Romania (with a CAGR of +25.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), Belgium ($X) and Italy ($X) were the largest markets for potato exported from France worldwide, together comprising 58% of total exports. Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, Hungary, Romania and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

Romania, with a CAGR of +26.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 50%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Portugal (+5.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potato Imports

Imports into France

Potato imports into France totaled X tons in 2021, with an increase of 1.9% on the previous year's figure. Overall, total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +10.1% 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 -22.9% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 89% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -24.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 65%. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main suppliers of potato imports to France, with a combined 77% share of total imports. Germany, the UK, Italy and Israel lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +32.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Belgium ($X) and Spain ($X) constituted the largest potato suppliers to France, together comprising 72% of total imports. These countries were followed by Italy, the UK, Germany and Israel, which together accounted for a further 22%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +26.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average potato import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 24% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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