Potato Export: How to Grow Your Business with the World’s Most Versatile Crop
Potatoes are one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the world, with an annual production of over 376 million metric tons in 2021. They are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, and can be prepared in various ways, such as mashed, roasted, baked, or boiled. Potatoes are also a valuable commodity in the global market, with an export value of about 4.32 billion U.S. dollars in 2021 for raw potatoes, and 10.8 billion U.S. dollars for prepared or preserved potatoes, including frozen French fries.
If you are a potato farmer or exporter, you might be wondering how to grow your business and tap into the lucrative international market. In this article, we will share some tips and insights on how to succeed in the potato export industry, based on the latest statistics and trends.
1. Know your target markets and their preferences
The first step to exporting potatoes is to identify your potential customers and understand their needs and preferences. Different countries have different tastes and demands for potatoes, depending on their culture, cuisine, climate, and income level. For example, China is the leading potato producer and consumer in the world, with a production of 94 million metric tons in 2021. However, most of the potatoes grown in China are used for animal feed or industrial purposes, rather than human consumption. Therefore, China imports a large amount of high-quality potatoes from other countries, especially from France, which is the top potato exporter in the world with a value of 693 million U.S. dollars in 2019.
Other major importers of potatoes include Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United States. These countries have a high demand for processed potatoes, such as frozen French fries, chips, and snacks. Therefore, if you want to export potatoes to these markets, you need to invest in processing facilities and equipment, as well as comply with their quality and safety standards.
On the other hand, some countries prefer fresh potatoes over processed ones, such as India, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. These countries have a large population and a low per capita income, which makes fresh potatoes an affordable and nutritious staple food. Therefore, if you want to export potatoes to these markets, you need to focus on providing fresh and high-yielding varieties that can withstand long-distance transportation and storage.
2. Choose the right varieties and cultivation methods
The second step to exporting potatoes is to choose the right varieties and cultivation methods that suit your target markets and climate conditions. There are thousands of potato varieties in the world, each with different characteristics such as shape, size, color, texture, flavor, starch content, cooking quality, yield potential, disease resistance, and shelf life. Some of the most popular potato varieties in the global market include Russet Burbank, Maris Piper, Yukon Gold, Desiree, Kennebec, Bintje, Agria, Nicola, Lady Rosetta, Atlantic, Innovator,
and Shepody.
Depending on your target market and climate conditions, you need to select the best varieties that can meet the customer’s expectations and adapt to the environmental factors. For example, if you want to export potatoes to Europe or North America, where consumers prefer large and uniform tubers with a high dry matter content and a low sugar content for frying or baking purposes, you might want to grow Russet Burbank or Innovator varieties. However, if you want to export potatoes to Asia or Africa, where consumers prefer small and colorful tubers with a high sugar content and a low dry matter content for boiling or mashing purposes, you might want to grow Desiree or Nicola varieties.
In addition to choosing the right varieties, you also need to adopt the best cultivation methods that can optimize your yield and quality. Some of the factors that affect potato growth and development include soil type, fertilization, irrigation, pest control, harvesting, and storage. You need to follow good agricultural practices and use appropriate inputs and technologies that can enhance your productivity and profitability.
3. Find reliable buyers and partners
The third step to exporting potatoes is to find reliable buyers and partners that can help you access and expand your market share. There are many ways to find potential customers and collaborators for your potato export business, such as:
Participating in trade fairs and exhibitions
Participating in trade fairs and exhibitions where you can showcase your products and network with buyers, distributors, agents, and brokers. Some of the most prominent trade events for the potato industry include Potato Europe, World Potato Congress, Potato Expo, and Fruit Logistica.
Joining online platforms and directories
Joining online platforms and directories where you can list your products and services and connect with buyers, suppliers, and service providers. Some of the most popular online platforms for the potato industry include PotatoPro, Potato Business, Potato World, and Global Potato News.
Seeking assistance from trade associations and organizations
Seeking assistance from trade associations and organizations that can provide you with market information, advice, training, and support. Some of the most influential trade associations and organizations for the potato industry include World Potato Trade, International Potato Center, European Potato Trade Association, National Potato Council, and Potato Council.
Establishing long-term relationships with your customers and partners
Establishing long-term relationships with your customers and partners by providing them with consistent quality, competitive prices, timely delivery, and excellent customer service. You also need to communicate effectively and transparently with your customers and partners and address any issues or complaints promptly and professionally.
4. Comply with the export regulations and requirements
The fourth step to exporting potatoes is to comply with the export regulations and requirements of your origin and destination countries. Exporting potatoes involves various procedures and documents, such as:
- Obtaining a phytosanitary certificate from your national plant protection organization, which certifies that your potatoes are free from pests and diseases and meet the phytosanitary requirements of the importing country.
- Applying for an export license from your national trade authority, which authorizes you to export potatoes to a specific country or region.
- Registering with the customs authority of your origin and destination countries, which verifies your identity and checks your export documents and products.
- Paying the applicable taxes, duties, and fees for your export transactions, such as value-added tax, customs duty, inspection fee, and transportation fee.
- Arranging the transportation and logistics of your export shipments, such as selecting the best mode of transport, packing your products properly, labeling your packages clearly, and tracking your shipments.
You need to follow the export regulations and requirements carefully and accurately to avoid any delays, penalties, or rejections of your export shipments. You also need to keep yourself updated on any changes or updates in the export policies and procedures of your origin and destination countries.
5. Monitor and evaluate your export performance
The fifth step to exporting potatoes is to monitor and evaluate your export performance and identify areas for improvement. You need to collect and analyze data and feedback on various aspects of your export business, such as:
- Your export volume and value, which indicate how much and how much money you are making from exporting potatoes.
- Your export market share and growth rate, which indicate how well you are competing and expanding in the global market.
- Your export costs and profits, which indicate how efficient and profitable you are in exporting potatoes.
- Your customer satisfaction and loyalty, which indicate how happy and loyal your customers are with your products and services.
- Your strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, which indicate what you are doing well and what you need to improve in your export business.
You need to monitor and evaluate your export performance regularly and objectively to measure your progress and success in exporting potatoes. You also need to set realistic and achievable goals and strategies for your export business and adjust them as needed based on your performance results.
Exporting potatoes can be a rewarding and profitable venture if you follow the steps outlined in this article. By knowing your target markets and their preferences, choosing the right varieties and cultivation methods, finding reliable buyers and partners, complying with the export regulations and requirements, and monitoring and evaluating your export performance, you can grow your business with the world’s most versatile crop.
Potato Export: A Global Overview
Potatoes are one of the most versatile and widely consumed vegetables in the world. They are rich in essential vitamins and minerals and can be prepared in various ways, such as mashed, roasted, baked, or boiled. Potatoes are also an important crop for many countries, especially those with temperate climates and fertile soils. In this blog post, we will look at some statistics and facts about the global potato industry, focusing on the production, consumption, and trade of this staple food.
Production
According to Statista, the global production of potatoes exceeded 376 million metric tons in 2021. Among the leading potato producers globally, China, India, Ukraine, and Russia took the top four positions in that order. With a production volume of almost 19 million metric tons that year, the United States was the fifth largest market for potato production worldwide. Nationwide, the most significant share of the country’s potato production is located in Idaho. The potato state produced just about 121 million centum weight (cwt) of the vegetable in 2022.
Another type of potato that is popular around the world is the sweet potato. This plant has a sweeter taste and a higher content of beta-carotene than regular potatoes. The global production of sweet potatoes was about 89 million metric tons in 2021, slightly lower than the previous year. The main producers of sweet potatoes were China, Nigeria, Tanzania, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.
Consumption
Potatoes are not only produced in large quantities, but also consumed by millions of people every day. They are a staple food in many regions and cultures, especially in Europe, North America, and South America. According to Statista, the global per capita consumption of fresh potatoes was about 32 kilograms in 2021, slightly higher than the previous year. The highest consumers of fresh potatoes were Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
The consumption of fresh sweet potatoes was also significant in some parts of the world. The global per capita consumption of fresh sweet potatoes was about 12 kilograms in 2021, slightly lower than the previous year. The highest consumers of fresh sweet potatoes were Rwanda, Burundi, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, and Malawi.
Trade
Potatoes are not only consumed domestically, but also traded internationally. Some countries export their surplus production to meet the demand of other markets, while some countries import potatoes to supplement their domestic supply. According to Export Genius, the global potato exports amounted to USD 3.8 billion in 2019. The top exporters of potatoes were France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and Egypt. These countries accounted for 60% of the total exports.
On the other hand, according to Statista, the global potato imports amounted to USD 4.32 billion in 2021. The top importers of potatoes were Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and France. These countries accounted for 49% of the total imports.
Potatoes are a vital crop for many countries and regions around the world. They provide food security and income for millions of farmers and consumers. They also contribute to the global economy through trade and value-added products. As the world population grows and urbanizes, the demand for potatoes is expected to increase in the future. Therefore, it is important to monitor and analyze the trends and developments in the global potato industry.
References:
http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/
https://www.statista.com/topics/2379/potato-industry/
https://www.statista.com/topics/6003/potato-industry-worldwide/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/263974/per-capita-consumption-of-potatoes-worldwide/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/263975/per-capita-consumption-of-sweet-potatoes-worldwide/
https://www.statista.com/topics/2379/potato-industry/
https://www.statista.com/topics/6003/potato-industry-worldwide/
https://www.exportgenius.in/blog/global-potato-exports-world-top-export-countries-of-potato-444.php
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1100615/global-export-value-of-potatoes-by-type/
https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/potatoes
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