Middle East: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern potato market shrank to $X in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Potato Production in the Middle East

In value terms, potato production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 36%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a combined 79% share of total production. Lebanon, Iraq, Israel and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

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.

The average potato yield amounted to X tons per ha in 2021, approximately equating 2020. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the yield increased by 5%. Over the period under review, the potato yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 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 the Middle East shrank to X ha, which is down by -5.4% on the previous year. Overall, the harvested area recorded a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to potato production attained the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Potato Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, shipments abroad of potatoes increased by 35% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports posted a temperate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 100%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a moderate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 65%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Israel (X tons) represented roughly 88% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Lebanon (X tons), achieving a 5.9% share of total exports. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) took a little 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 mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest potato supplying countries in the Middle East were Israel ($X), Iran ($X) and Turkey ($X), with a combined 86% share of total exports.

Iran, with a CAGR of +20.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Turkey ($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 the Middle East

In 2021, purchases abroad of potatoes decreased by -6.3% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -30.8% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 63%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato imports declined markedly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -33.4% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the nine major importers of potatoes, namely the United Arab Emirates, Syrian Arab Republic, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Israel, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

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 United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Iraq ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 43% share of total imports.

Iraq, with a CAGR of +10.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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 the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -11.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 28% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the 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 Israel ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($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

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