AUSVEG has reviewed Global Trade Atlas import data to understand:

  • The changes in the levels of frozen potato imports pre- and post-COVID, as well as
  • The changes in import levels over the last 12-months as growers have faced significant increases in costs of production.

While frozen potato imports (i.e. frozen, including French Fries, Prepared Or Preserved Otherwise Than By Vinegar Or Acetic Acid) have increased 12% in value and 15% in volume over the last 12-months, the level of imports has decreased year-on-year since 2017/18.

Year ending June Volume (tonne) Change
2018 138,116
2019 119,647 -13.37%
2020 110,599 -7.56%
2021 102,789 -7.06%
2022 118,407 +15.19%

 

Year ending June Value ($m) Change
2018 166.8
2019 153.7 -7.87%
2020 151.6 -1.38%
2021 144.3 -4.80%
2022 161.7 +12.06%

As the below graphs demonstrate, there has been an overall decline in the value and volume of frozen potato imports from 2017/18 to 2021/22.

Belgium

Belgium 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Value ($) 22,108,552  27,494,279  32,950,500 34,653,155 45,927,471
Volume (T) 15,878 18,954 20,995 21,885 28,049

The Netherlands

The Netherlands 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Value ($) 46,846,721 30,860,304 23,971,910 41,933,109 43,609,253
Volume (T) 42,599 28,307 18,764 33,457 36,246

New Zealand

New Zealand 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Value ($) 62,122,840 54,297,120 51,625,472 34,311,453 34,003,694
Volume (T) 54,357 46,636 47,020 28,618 30,871

United States

United States 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Value ($) 28,169,476 29,063,733 29,434,933 15,100,307 20,892,265
Volume (T) 20,924 19,660 17,565 9,643 11,995

Rest of the World

Rest of the World 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Value ($) 7,568,706 11,974,095 13,580,587 18,294,603 17,261,311
Volume (T) 4,358 6,090 6,255 9,186 11,246

 

AUSVEG will continue to monitor import and trade data and will provide further updates to industry to ensure growers are aware of the current global trading environment for potatoes.

Any growers wanting to find out more information are encouraged to contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277.