GCC: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in GCC

The GCC potato market expanded rapidly to $X in 2021, surging by 9.6% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% 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 -18.4% against 2019 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Potato Production in GCC

In value terms, potato production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 77% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of potato production, accounting for 89% of total volume. Moreover, potato production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Kuwait (X tons), more than tenfold.

In Saudi Arabia, potato production increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Kuwait (-4.8% per year) and Oman (+6.6% per year).

In 2021, the average potato yield in GCC was estimated at X tons per ha, flattening at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 10%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the potato yield remained at a somewhat 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, the harvested area of potatoes in GCC dropped modestly to X ha, remaining stable against 2020 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 6.2%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Potato Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, the amount of potatoes exported in GCC declined dramatically to X tons, reducing by -30.2% compared with the year before. In general, exports saw a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 96%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato exports shrank dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a significant decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 111% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Oman represented the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which resulted at 48% of total exports. Kuwait (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Qatar (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons). All these countries together took near 49% share of total exports. Bahrain (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Oman was also the fastest-growing in terms of the potatoes exports, with a CAGR of +34.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Qatar (+26.8%), Kuwait (+6.7%) and Bahrain (+6.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-26.5%) and the United Arab Emirates (-39.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain increased by +47, +18, +12 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Oman ($X) remains the largest potato supplier in GCC, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 12% share.

In Oman, potato exports expanded at an average annual rate of +32.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kuwait (+11.4% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-23.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -2% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 16%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Bahrain ($X per ton), while Qatar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+10.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potato Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, purchases abroad of potatoes decreased by -12.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% 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 -27.4% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports fell to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -18.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which finished at 35% of total imports. Oman (X tons) took an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Saudi Arabia (17%), Qatar (13%), Kuwait (11%) and Bahrain (4.8%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Oman (with a CAGR of +9.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest potato importing markets in GCC were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Oman ($X), together comprising 71% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +9.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform