The potato market showed modest growth in export value driven by emerging Asian markets, while frozen imports eased slightly despite shifting competitive dynamics, and significant jumps in volume and value from India and China.

EXPORT OVERVIEW

From January to November 2025, total potato export value increased by four percent, from AUD$45.2 million to AUD$47 million. Total potato export volume increased slightly by one percent, to 44,944 tonnes. The overall increase in fresh potato exports show encouraging demand from international markets.

South Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore were the leading five markets for fresh potato exports over the period. South Korea had the largest market share for potato exports, accounting for one-third of total potato exports, but with a decrease of 18 percent in export value from AUD$18.2 million to $14.8 million. Total potato export volume to South Korea also decreased by 16 percent, from 23,628 tonnes to 19,850 tonnes. The Philippines has also recorded a decline in export value by eight percent, from AUD$7.4 million to $6.8 million and export volume has decreased by five percent, from 7,638 tonnes to 7,248 tonnes.

On the other hand, Taiwan and Indonesia have recorded stronger growth in both export value and volume. Taiwan has recorded a growth of 41 percent in export value, from AUD$4.2 million to AUD$5.9 million and export volume has doubled by 56 percent, from 2,791 tonnes to 4,345 tonnes.

Indonesia has seen an increase of 214 percent in export value, from AUD$1.5 million to $4.6 million, and export volume has increased by 256 percent, from 1,475 tonnes to 5,256 tonnes (refer to Table 1).

Change in potato exports by destination

IMPORT OVERVIEW

According to data from the Global Trade Atlas, frozen potato imports including French fries into Australia recorded a slight decrease in value and volume between January and November 2025, while significant jumps in both volume and value of frozen imports from India, China, South Africa and Germany were recorded. Import value dropped by four percent, from AUD$264 million to AUD$254 million and import volume has decreased by three percent, from 122,605 tonnes to 118,762 tonnes.

Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany and United States were the top five origin markets for frozen potato imports. Belgium and Netherlands have both recorded a drop in import value and volume. Belgium’s frozen potato import value decreased by 10 percent, from AUD$125 million to AUD$112 million, and a drop of 21 percent in import volume, from 53,390 tonnes to 46,618 tonnes. Netherland has experienced a decrease of 22 per cent in import value from AUD$72 million to AUD$56 million and import volume has dropped by 21 percent from 36,528 tonnes to 29,001 tonnes.

These falls were offset by rapid growth from Germany, India and China. India’s import value increased by 284 percent, from $2.1 million to $8.2 million, while volume increased by 346 percent, from 828 tonnes to 3,696 tonnes. Similarly, China’s import value increased 294 percent from $1.4 million to $5.4 million, while volume increased by 381 percent, from 544 tonnes to 2,615 tonnes. Germany also recorded a strong growth with the import value increasing by 58 percent, from AUD$12.5 million to AUD$19.8 million and import volume increased by 54 percent from 5,264 tonnes to 8,084 tonnes.

These increases reflect changing market dynamics, and signify intensifying competition for Australian growers.

Change in frozen potato imports by destination