May 3, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved) – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The European Union’s market for frozen potatoes is expected to see continued growth, with a forecasted CAGR of +5.7% in volume and +4.5% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is projected to reach 6M tons and the market value is expected to reach $6.4B (in nominal wholesale prices).
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for frozen potatoes prepared or preserved in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +5.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 6M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.4B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
European Union’s Consumption of Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, the amount of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved consumed in the European Union rose slightly to 3.3M tons, surging by 2.4% compared with 2023. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.
The size of the preserved frozen potato market in the European Union dropped to $4B in 2024, reducing by -7.3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The total consumption indicated a measured increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +46.9% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $4.3B, and then reduced in the following year.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Germany (640K tons), France (568K tons) and the Netherlands (465K tons), together comprising 51% of total consumption. Spain, Italy, Poland, Ireland, Belgium, Greece and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +6.6%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest preserved frozen potato markets in the European Union were France ($779M), Germany ($720M) and Italy ($406M), together accounting for 48% of the total market. Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Greece, Portugal and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.
Spain, with a CAGR of +10.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of preserved frozen potato per capita consumption in 2024 were the Netherlands (26 kg per person), Ireland (22 kg per person) and Portugal (8.7 kg per person).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +6.7%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Production
European Union’s Production of Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in production of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved, when its volume decreased by -6.8% to 5.8M tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked at 6.3M tons in 2023, and then contracted in the following year.
In value terms, preserved frozen potato production dropped to $7.5B in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, enjoyed resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 with an increase of 35%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $8.3B, and then fell in the following year.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Belgium (2.6M tons), the Netherlands (1.8M tons) and Germany (573K tons), together accounting for 84% of total production. France and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports
European Union’s Imports of Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, supplies from abroad of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved decreased by -12.5% to 2.8M tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at 3.2M tons in 2023, and then declined in the following year.
In value terms, preserved frozen potato imports dropped to $4.2B in 2024. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $4.6B, and then declined in the following year.
Imports By Country
In 2024, France (546K tons), distantly followed by Germany (328K tons), the Netherlands (270K tons), Spain (259K tons), Italy (226K tons), Belgium (210K tons) and Poland (127K tons) represented the largest importers of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved, together committing 71% of total imports. Ireland (121K tons), Greece (92K tons) and Portugal (88K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, France ($823M), Germany ($534M) and Italy ($411M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 42% share of total imports. Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, Greece and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.
Poland, with a CAGR of +15.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $1,530 per ton, with an increase of 5.6% against the previous year. Import price indicated a moderate increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, preserved frozen potato import price increased by +61.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the import price increased by 37% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Italy ($1,818 per ton) and Ireland ($1,778 per ton), while the Netherlands ($1,240 per ton) and Belgium ($1,254 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
European Union’s Exports of Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved)
After three years of growth, overseas shipments of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved decreased by -14.4% to 5.3M tons in 2024. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at 6.2M tons in 2023, and then contracted in the following year.
In value terms, preserved frozen potato exports reduced to $8B in 2024. In general, exports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $8.9B, and then declined in the following year.
Exports By Country
In 2024, Belgium (2.7M tons) was the largest exporter of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved, achieving 50% of total exports. The Netherlands (1,589K tons) took a 30% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by France (9.6%) and Germany (4.9%). Poland (192K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest preserved frozen potato supplying countries in the European Union were Belgium ($3.9B), the Netherlands ($2.5B) and France ($750M), with a combined 89% share of total exports.
In terms of the main exporting countries, Belgium, with a CAGR of +9.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in the European Union amounted to $1,508 per ton, picking up by 5.5% against the previous year. Export price indicated a tangible expansion from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, preserved frozen potato export price increased by +68.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 when the export price increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.
Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($1,586 per ton) and Germany ($1,567 per ton), while Belgium ($1,456 per ton) and France ($1,464 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
