Scandinavia: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in Scandinavia

The Scandinavia potato market expanded modestly to $X in 2021, rising by 3.2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Potato Production in Scandinavia

In value terms, potato production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -5.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 48% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of potato production was Denmark (X tons), accounting for 57% of total volume. Moreover, potato production in Denmark exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Sweden (X tons), threefold. Finland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Denmark totaled +4.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Sweden (+0.8% per year) and Finland (+2.7% per year).

In 2021, the average potato yield in Scandinavia amounted to X tons per ha, remaining stable against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the yield saw modest growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 13%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the 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.

In 2021, approx. X ha of potatoes were harvested in Scandinavia; which is down by -2.9% on 2020. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the harvested area increased by 6.1% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Potato Exports

Exports in Scandinavia

In 2021, the amount of potatoes exported in Scandinavia reduced slightly to X tons, shrinking by -4.9% compared with the previous year. In general, exports showed a perceptible curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 28%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Denmark prevails in exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 89% of total exports in 2021. Finland (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Sweden (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 11% share of total exports.

Denmark was also the fastest-growing in terms of the potatoes exports, with a CAGR of -2.2% from 2012 to 2021. Sweden (-2.4%) and Finland (-6.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Denmark increased by +2.4 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Denmark ($X) remains the largest potato supplier in Scandinavia, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Sweden ($X), with a 10% share of total exports.

In Denmark, potato exports plunged by an average annual rate of -2.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sweden (+2.3% per year) and Finland (-9.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Scandinavia stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Potato Imports

Imports in Scandinavia

For the third year in a row, Scandinavia recorded decline in overseas purchases of potatoes, which decreased by -24.8% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 26%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato imports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. 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

Denmark represented the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which resulted at 42% of total imports. Norway (X tons) took a 26% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Sweden (25%) and Finland (5.5%). Iceland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Iceland (with a CAGR of +0.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, Denmark ($X), Norway ($X) and Sweden ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 91% share of total imports.

Sweden, with a CAGR of +0.0%, 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 a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Scandinavia stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform