Global sales from potatoes exports by country amounted to US$4.33 billion during 2018 for spuds in their raw form. In addition, the value of shipments for prepared or preserved potatoes including frozen French fries represents another $10.1 billion.

Overall, the value of raw potatoes exports declined in value by an average -0.1% for all exporting countries since 2014 when raw potatoes shipments were valued at $4.34 billion. Total prepared or preserved potatoes shipments including frozen French fries appreciated by 15.5% over the same 5-year period.

The 4-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix for raw potatoes is 0701. The 6-digit prefix for frozen prepared or preserved potatoes including French fries is 200410 while 200520 is the 6-digit prefix for unfrozen potatoes prepared or preserved with vinegar or acetic acid.

Potatoes Exports by Country: Raw

Below are the 15 countries that exported the highest dollar value worth of unprocessed raw potatoes shipped during 2018.

1. Netherlands: US$793.9 million (18.3% of total exported raw potatoes)
2. France: $642 million (14.8%)
3. Germany: $374 million (8.6%)
4. China: $261.2 million (6%)
5. Canada: $252.2 million (5.8%)
6. United States of America: $235.8 million (5.4%)
7. Egypt: $206.9 million (4.8%)
8. Iran: $203 million (4.7%)
9. Belgium: $199.3 million (4.6%)
10. Spain: $153.7 million (3.5%)
11. United Kingdom: $144 million (3.3%)
12. Pakistan: $120.9 million (2.8%)
13. Denmark: $70.2 million (1.6%)
14. Israel: $63.4 million (1.5%)
15. India: $57.4 million (1.3%)

 
The above countries produced 87.2% of raw potatoes exported during 2018.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing raw potatoes exporters since 2014 were: Pakistan (up 136%), Spain (up 74.6%), Iran (up 26.4%) and Canada (up 26%).

Those countries that posted declines in their exported raw potatoes sales were led by: Israel (down -51%), India (down -47.7%), Egypt (down -36.7%), Netherlands (down -11.9%) and Denmark (down -7.1%).

Potatoes Exports by Country: Prepared or Preserved

Frozen prepared or preserved potatoes including French fries amounted to $7.5 billion in export sales for 2018 (thus equaling 79.4% of the overall prepared or preserved total), while international shipments of unfrozen prepared or preserved potatoes were worth another $2.6 billion (representing 20.6%).

Below are the 15 countries that exported the highest dollar value worth of prepared or preserved potatoes during 2018, including both frozen and unfrozen goods.

1. Belgium: US$2.26 billion (22.4% of total frozen prepared/preserved potatoes exports)
2. Netherlands: $2.25 billion (22.4%)
3. United States: $1.4 billion (14.1%)
4. Canada: $1.2 billion (11.7%)
5. Germany: $483.9 million (4.8%)
6. France: $476.9 million (4.7%)
7. Poland: $325.6 million (3.2%)
8. United Kingdom: $301.9 million (3%)
9. Argentina: $155 million (1.5%)
10. Iran: $127.1 million (1.3%)
11. Spain: $104.3 million (1%)
12. Mexico: $96.3 million (1%)
13. New Zealand: $73 million (0.7%)
14. Russia: $69 million (0.7%)
15. Austria: $67.9 million (0.7%)

The 15 countries listed immediately above shipped 93.3% of all prepared or preserved spuds in 2018, regardless if frozen or unfrozen.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing frozen prepared/preserved potatoes exporters since 2014 were: Iran (up 225.2%), Spain (up 48.8%), Poland (up 45.9%) and United Kingdom (up 28.0%).

Three countries posted declines in their exported frozen prepared/preserved potatoes sales namely: Argentina (down -19.1%), New Zealand (down -9.4%) and Russia (down -3.8%).

See also Potatoes Imports by Country, Asparagus Exports by Country, Top Sweet Pepper and Chili Pepper Exports and Top Cucumbers Exporting Countries

Research Sources:
Forbes Global 2000 rankings, The World’s Biggest Public Companies. Accessed on May 8, 2019

Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on May 8, 2019

The World Factbook, Field Listing: Exports – Commodities, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on May 8, 2019

Trade Map, International Trade Centre. Accessed on August 9, 2019

Wikipedia, Potato. Accessed on May 8, 2019