MENA: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in MENA

The MENA's potato market reached $X in 2021, picking up by 3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Potato Production in MENA

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 +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 25%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Egypt (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Algeria (X tons), with a combined 60% share of total production. Iran, Morocco, Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanon and Iraq lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Lebanon (with a CAGR of +9.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average potato yield in MENA reached X tons per ha, standing approx. at the year before. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 3.7%. Over the period under review, the potato yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield stood 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 total area harvested in terms of potatoes production in MENA fell slightly to X ha, which is down by -1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the harvested area increased by 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Potato Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, shipments abroad of potatoes decreased by -0.9% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 -45.8% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 61%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports fell to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +8.1% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 49%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons), Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Israel (X tons) represented the main exporter of potatoes in MENA, making up 90% of total export. Lebanon (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Iran (with a CAGR of +15.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest potato supplying countries in MENA were Egypt ($X), Israel ($X) and Iran ($X), together accounting for 77% of total exports.

Iran, with a CAGR of +20.1%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -1.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a mild setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Turkey ($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 (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potato Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, imports of potatoes in MENA declined to X tons, with a decrease of -4.9% against 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period 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 2013 when imports increased by 41%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 23%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Iraq (X tons), Oman (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Lebanon (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and Israel (X tons) represented roughly 91% of total imports in 2021.

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, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported potatoes in MENA, comprising 21% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Algeria, with a 9.1% share.

In Egypt, potato imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+6.9% per year) and Algeria (-10.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -3.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($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