Kuwait: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in Kuwait

The Kuwaiti potato market fell notably to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Potato Production in Kuwait

In value terms, potato production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 406% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average potato yield in Kuwait shrank modestly to X tons per ha, stabilizing at 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, posted a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 129%. Over the period under review, the average potato yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 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, the total area harvested in terms of potatoes production in Kuwait reduced to X ha, with a decrease of -9.1% against 2020. Over the period under review, the harvested area recorded a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 51% against the previous year. The potato harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Potato Exports

Exports from Kuwait

In 2021, the amount of potatoes exported from Kuwait dropped significantly to X tons, declining by -40.9% against the year before. In general, exports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 449% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports contracted notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 444% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Iraq (X tons) was the main destination for potato exports from Kuwait, with a 83% share of total exports. Moreover, potato exports to Iraq exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Oman (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Qatar (X tons), with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Iraq stood at +13.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Oman (+16.2% per year) and Qatar (+25.3% per year).

In value terms, Iraq ($X) remains the key foreign market for potato exports from Kuwait, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Qatar ($X), with a 4.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Oman, with a 3.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Iraq totaled +23.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Qatar (+32.8% per year) and Oman (+11.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average potato export price amounted to $X per ton, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, potato export price decreased by -0.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 43%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bahrain ($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 Iraq (+9.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Potato Imports

Imports into Kuwait

In 2021, approx. X tons of potatoes were imported into Kuwait; with a decrease of -50.3% against 2020 figures. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 59% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports declined significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 95%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main suppliers of potato imports to Kuwait, with a combined 53% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +45.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest potato suppliers to Kuwait were Lebanon ($X), Syrian Arab Republic ($X) and Egypt ($X), with a combined 57% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Syrian Arab Republic, with a CAGR of +45.7%, recorded 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 average potato import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 33%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lebanon (+16.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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