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THE MOST RECENT DATA FROM GLOBAL TRADE ATLAS ON THE VALUE OF IMPORTS AND
EXPORTS OF POTATO PRODUCE HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR JANUARY TO MARCH 2016.
POTATOES AUSTRALIA
TAKES A LOOK AT THE FORECAST, WHICH IS PREDICTING AN
INCREASE IN POTATO IMPORTS FOR THIS YEAR.
Potato terms of trade: First quarter 2016
N
ew data from the Global
Trade Atlas for the first
quarter of 2016 indicates that
potato imports into Australia
are noticeably higher in the first
quarter of 2016 in comparison
to 2015 (23 per cent increase).
This sets the forecast for a
significant rise in potato imports
than in previous years.
Potato produce categories
that have grown the most in
contrast to the first quarter of
2015 include frozen prepared
potatoes (21 per cent growth)
and non-frozen prepared
potatoes (37 per cent growth).
Australian potato exports
have experienced a six per
cent decline in comparison to
the same time last year, falling
by an estimated $290,000. A
lot of the changes in terms of
trade for potato produce can
be explained by the increasing
exchange rate over the last year.
As the value of the Australian
dollar continues to grow, the
value of imports into Australia
is expected to increase as the
dollar is able to purchase more
overseas produce.
Even though the first quarter
results from the Global Trade
Atlas may present some
concerns over the value of
imported produce entering
Australia, the Australia Bureau
of Agricultural and Resource
Economics and Sciences
(ABARES) continues to report
that potato exports are likely to
remain at similar levels in the
medium-term.
Frozen prepared potato
exports grew by over 200
per cent in comparison to
the first quarter of 2015.
Potato exports are
approximately $290,000 lower
this quarter than expected.
Seed potato exports have
grown 30 per cent this
quarter, increasing by
approximately $180,000 in
contrast to the same quarter
of 2015.
Imported potatoes and potato
produce increased by over
$3 million in comparison to
the same quarter last year.
Frozen prepared potato
imports grew by 37 per cent
in comparison to the first
quarter of 2015.
During the January to
March quarter, Australia
imported over $16 million of
potato produce.
Product
Q4-14 Q1-15 Q2-15 Q3-15 Q4-15 Q1-16
Frozen prepared potatoes
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.32
0.34
0.24
Non-frozen prepared potatoes
2.87
3.92
3.49
3.09
2.46
3.15
Flakes, granules and pellets
of potatoes
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.10
0.02
0.01
Seed potatoes
0.11
0.58
0.88
0.70
0.05
0.76
Flour and meal of potatoes
0.02
0.06
0.08
0.06
0.02
0.09
Frozen potatoes boiled in water
0.06
0.03
0.09
0.05
0.16
0.15
Product
Q4-14 Q1-15 Q2-15 Q3-15 Q4-15 Q1-16
Frozen prepared potatoes
2.07
1.71
2.03
2.58
2.14
2.34
Non-frozen prepared potatoes
11.52
10.43 14.30 11.00 11.41 12.62
Flakes, granules and pellets
of potatoes
0.86
1.15
2.36
1.89
1.44
1.49
Seed potatoes
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Flour and meal of potatoes
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.03
0.05
Frozen potatoes boiled in water
0.07
0.14
0.05
0.06
0.03
0.08
Table 1: Potato and Potato Produce Exports ($AU Millions)
Table 2: Potato and Potato Produce Imports ($AU Millions)
This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation
Australia Limited using the Fresh Potato Levy and funds from the
Australian Government.
Project Number: PT15007
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