How France Became the Largest Exporter of Potatoes in the World
Potatoes are one of the most widely consumed crops in the world, with an annual production of over 370 million tonnes in 2021. China and India are the biggest producers and consumers of potatoes, but they are not the top exporters. In fact, France is the largest exporter of potatoes in the world, with a market share of 16.7% in 2022. How did France achieve this position and what are the benefits and challenges of its potato industry?
History of growing potatoes
France has a long history of growing potatoes, dating back to the 18th century when they were introduced from South America by explorers and missionaries. Potatoes soon became a staple food for the French people, especially during times of famine and war. Today, France has about 150,000 hectares of land dedicated to potato cultivation, mainly in the northern regions of Hauts-de-France, Normandy and Brittany. France produces about 6 million tonnes of potatoes per year, of which 2.5 million tonnes are exported.
France exports potatoes
France exports potatoes to over 100 countries, mainly in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The main destinations are Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Portugal. France also exports processed potato products, such as frozen fries, chips and flakes, which account for about 20% of its total potato exports. France’s main competitors in the global potato market are the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Argentina.
Benefits
France’s success as a potato exporter is based on several factors, such as:
- Its geographical location and climate, which allow for a long growing season and a high yield per hectare.
- Its diversified varieties of potatoes, which cater to different tastes and preferences of consumers and processors.
- Its quality standards and certifications, which ensure food safety and traceability of its products.
- Its innovation and research, which aim to improve the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of its potato sector.
- Its strong cooperation and coordination among farmers, cooperatives, processors and exporters, which enable an efficient supply chain and market access.
Challenges
However, France also faces some challenges and risks in its potato industry, such as:
- The volatility of prices and demand, which depend on factors such as weather conditions, crop failures, trade policies and consumer trends.
- The competition from other countries, especially those with lower production costs or higher subsidies.
- The environmental impact of potato cultivation, which requires a lot of water, fertilizers and pesticides.
- The social impact of potato production, which involves a lot of labor-intensive work and low wages for workers.
To overcome these challenges and maintain its leading position in the global potato market, France needs to continue investing in innovation and research, diversifying its products and markets, improving its environmental and social performance, and strengthening its collaboration with other stakeholders in the potato value chain.
Global Trends in Potato Exports
Potatoes are one of the most widely consumed crops in the world, with an estimated production of 368 million metric tons in 2021. China and India are the biggest producers and consumers of potatoes, but they are not the main exporters. In this blog post, we will explore the global trends in potato exports, based on the latest data from 2019.
Top Potato Exporters
According to the potato export data 2019, the top five potato exporters in terms of value were France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Egypt. These countries accounted for 60% of the total potato exports in 2019, which amounted to US$5.1 billion. The following table shows the export value and share of the top 15 potato exporters in 2019.
| Country | Export Value (US$ million) | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| France | 849.2 | 16.5 |
| Germany | 461.5 | 9 |
| Netherlands | 964.5 | 18.8 |
| Belgium | 216 | 4.2 |
| Egypt | 316 | 6.2 |
| Pakistan | 216.6 | 4.2 |
| United States | 303.7 | 5.9 |
| Canada | 427.9 | 8.3 |
| China | 248.8 | 4.8 |
| India | 95.6 | 1.9 |
| Spain | 144.4 | 2.8 |
| United Kingdom | 170.8 | 3.3 |
| Israel | 73.3 | 1.4 |
| Denmark | 58.5 | 1.1 |
| South Africa | 48.3 | 0.9 |
Factors Affecting Potato Exports
The global demand for potatoes is influenced by various factors, such as population growth, income levels, dietary preferences, climate change, trade policies and market conditions. Some of the factors that affect potato exports are:
Variety
Potatoes come in different shapes, sizes, colors and qualities, depending on the variety and cultivation methods. Some varieties are more suitable for fresh consumption, while others are more suitable for processing into chips, fries, starch or flakes. The demand for different varieties may vary across regions and markets, depending on consumer preferences and needs.
Quality
The quality of potatoes is determined by several factors, such as appearance, size, shape, color, texture, taste, nutritional value and shelf life. The quality of potatoes may also be affected by pests, diseases, storage conditions and transportation methods. The quality of potatoes may influence the price and demand for exports, as well as the reputation and competitiveness of the exporters.
Price
The price of potatoes is influenced by the supply and demand dynamics in the global market, as well as the production costs and trade policies of the exporting and importing countries. The price of potatoes may also fluctuate due to seasonal variations, weather conditions, exchange rates and other factors. The price of potatoes may affect the profitability and attractiveness of exports for both producers and traders.
Trade Policies
The trade policies of the exporting and importing countries may affect the volume and value of potato exports, as well as the market access and competitiveness of the exporters. Trade policies may include tariffs, quotas, subsidies, standards, regulations, agreements and disputes that affect the trade flows and conditions of potatoes between countries.
Future Outlook for Potato Exports
The global demand for potatoes is expected to increase in the future, driven by population growth, urbanization, income growth and dietary diversification. The demand for processed potato products is also expected to rise, especially in developing regions where convenience foods are becoming more popular. However, the supply of potatoes may face challenges due to climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, pest and disease outbreaks and other factors that may affect the yield and quality of potatoes.
The future outlook for potato exports depends on how well the exporters can adapt to these challenges and opportunities, as well as how they can leverage their comparative advantages and market niches in the global market. Some of the strategies that may help potato exporters to increase their competitiveness and sustainability include:
Innovation
Potato exporters may need to invest in research and development to improve their productivity, quality and efficiency of potato production and processing. They may also need to innovate their products and services to meet the changing needs and preferences of consumers and markets.
Diversification
Potato exporters may need to diversify their product portfolio to offer a wider range of varieties and qualities of potatoes for different purposes and markets. They may also need to diversify their market destinations to reduce their dependence on a few major buyers and to explore new opportunities and niches.
Integration
Potato exporters may need to integrate their value chain to enhance their coordination and cooperation with other actors, such as producers, processors, traders, retailers and consumers. They may also need to integrate their market information and intelligence to improve their market access and competitiveness.
Cooperation
Potato exporters may need to cooperate with each other to form alliances, associations, networks or platforms that can help them to share resources, knowledge, experiences and best practices. They may also need to cooperate with other stakeholders, such as governments, research institutions, civil society and international organizations, to address common challenges and issues that affect the potato sector.
References:
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/
http://faostat.fao.org/Portals/_Faostat/documents/pdf/FAOSTAT-Forestry-def-e.pdf
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FO/visualize
http://www.fao.org/3/CA3129EN/CA3129EN.pdf
https://www.statista.com/statistics/382174/global-potato-production/
https://www.exportgenius.in/blog/global-potato-exports-world-top-export-countries-of-potato-444.php
https://www.statista.com/statistics/788800/global-top-fresh-potato-exporters/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/382174/global-potato-production/
https://www.exportgenius.in/blog/global-potato-exports-world-top-export-countries-of-potato-444.php
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