Germany: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in Germany

The German potato market was estimated at $X in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Potato consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potato Production in Germany

In value terms, potato production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average potato yield in Germany reduced to X tons per ha, waning by -4.4% on the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the average potato 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 Germany fell slightly to X ha in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% 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 2019 with an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Potato Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2021, overseas shipments of potatoes increased by 0.5% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 16%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports totaled $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% 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 -12.8% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 64% 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 Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for potato exports from Germany, with a 44% share of total exports. Moreover, potato exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), threefold. Italy (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands stood at -3.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+4.0% per year) and Italy (+0.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for potato exports from Germany, comprising 35% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+4.0% per year) and Italy (-1.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 1.8% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 41% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Denmark ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Czech Republic ($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 the Netherlands (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potato Imports

Imports into Germany

In 2021, imports of potatoes into Germany plummeted to X tons, waning by -19.7% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports dropped to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 87%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of potato to Germany, with a 52% share of total imports. Moreover, potato imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Spain (X tons), with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands totaled -6.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-0.9% per year) and Spain (+0.4% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Spain ($X) appeared to be the largest potato suppliers to Germany, with a combined 68% share of total imports. Belgium, Italy, Egypt, Cyprus and Israel lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Among the main suppliers, Belgium, with a CAGR of +8.8%, 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

In 2021, the average potato import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 15% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+16.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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