MERCOSUR: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR potato market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, increasing by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potato Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, potato production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 14%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Peru (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Colombia (X tons), with a combined 73% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Colombia (with a CAGR of +5.0%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average potato yield reached X tons per ha in 2021, almost unchanged from the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the yield increased by 7.3% against the previous year. 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 failed to regain momentum. 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 MERCOSUR fell modestly to X ha, remaining stable against the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 4.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Potato Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of potatoes, when their volume decreased by -16.3% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, posted a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 170%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports contracted to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 127% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Argentina represented the main exporter of potatoes in MERCOSUR, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was near 87% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), creating a 10% share of total exports.

Exports from Argentina increased at an average annual rate of +15.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Brazil (+42.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +42.4% from 2012-2021. Argentina (+9.4 p.p.) and Brazil (+9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the largest potato supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Argentina stood at +6.4%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 42%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Argentina totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-1.8%).

Potato Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, overseas purchases of potatoes decreased by -11.6% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 69%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato imports reduced to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 91% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Paraguay represented the largest importer of potatoes in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 59% of total imports in 2021. Guyana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 11% share, followed by Brazil (9.8%), Suriname (9.6%) and Argentina (6.6%). Uruguay (X tons) and Chile (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Paraguay increased at an average annual rate of +16.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Argentina (+31.4%), Brazil (+13.8%), Chile (+1.2%) and Suriname (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +31.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Guyana (-1.1%) and Uruguay (-1.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Paraguay (+35 p.p.), Argentina (+5.7 p.p.) and Brazil (+5.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Uruguay (-2.1 p.p.), Suriname (-3.8 p.p.) and Guyana (-7.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Paraguay ($X) and Guyana ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 72% share of total imports. Suriname, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Argentina, with a CAGR of +29.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries 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 MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, surging by 6.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 21% against the previous year. The level of import peaked 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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+6.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform