United Kingdom: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in the UK

The UK potato market reduced to $X in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a slight shrinkage. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Potato Production in the UK

In value terms, potato production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 20%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of potatoes in the UK dropped modestly to X tons per ha in 2021, falling by -2.6% on the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by 34%. The potato yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 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 UK amounted to X ha, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 5%. The potato harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potato Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, the amount of potatoes exported from the UK declined significantly to X tons, with a decrease of -18.4% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports saw a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 30%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main destinations of potato exports from the UK, together comprising 67% of total exports. These countries were followed by Belgium, the Netherlands, Morocco and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Belgium (with a CAGR of +25.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X), Ireland ($X) and Spain ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for potato exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 70% share of total exports. Belgium, the Netherlands, Thailand and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

Among the main countries of destination, Belgium, with a CAGR of +23.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($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 Thailand (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potato Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, purchases abroad of potatoes decreased by -53.4% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato imports declined rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 78%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Israel (X tons), Cyprus (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) were the main suppliers of potato imports to the UK, together accounting for 62% of total imports. The Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, France, Spain and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +210.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest potato suppliers to the UK were Cyprus ($X), Israel ($X) and Ireland ($X), with a combined 56% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, France, Spain and Germany, which together accounted for a further 38%.

Among the main suppliers, Romania, with a CAGR of +285.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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, increasing by 7.9% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, potato import price decreased by -8.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 18% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+24.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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