Mar 25, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved) – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK market for frozen potatoes is expected to continue an upward consumption trend with a forecasted CAGR of +0.1% in volume and +1.6% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is projected to reach 1.2M tons and the market value to $2.5B in nominal prices.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for frozen potatoes prepared or preserved in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.2M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.5B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
United Kingdom’s Consumption of Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, approx. 1.2M tons of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved were consumed in the UK; approximately reflecting the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 1.2M tons; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024.
The size of the preserved frozen potato market in the UK rose significantly to $2.1B in 2024, surging by 9.5% 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). In general, the total consumption indicated a noticeable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 +89.3% against 2020 indices. Preserved frozen potato consumption peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
Production
United Kingdom’s Production of Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, the amount of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved produced in the UK stood at 442K tons, approximately equating 2023. In general, production, however, saw a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 0.4%. Preserved frozen potato production peaked at 514K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, preserved frozen potato production stood at $703M in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a mild setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. Preserved frozen potato production peaked at $851M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports
United Kingdom’s Imports of Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, approx. 808K tons of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved were imported into the UK; which is down by -2.4% compared with 2023 figures. Over the period under review, total imports indicated measured growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -3.0% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 833K tons. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, preserved frozen potato imports expanded notably to $1.4B in 2024. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
Imports By Country
Belgium (429K tons), the Netherlands (349K tons) and Germany (32K tons) were the main suppliers of preserved frozen potato imports to the UK, with a combined 97% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +17.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.
In value terms, Belgium ($466M), the Netherlands ($397M) and Germany ($45M) were the largest preserved frozen potato suppliers to the UK, together accounting for 96% of total imports.
Germany, with a CAGR of +20.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2022, the average preserved frozen potato import price amounted to $1,134 per ton, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average import price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($1,401 per ton), while the price for Belgium ($1,087 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
United Kingdom’s Exports of Frozen Potatoes (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, shipments abroad of frozen potatoes prepared or preserved decreased by -17.4% to 28K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 45%. The exports peaked at 75K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, preserved frozen potato exports reduced to $51M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports saw a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $86M. From 2019 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Ireland (18K tons) was the main destination for preserved frozen potato exports from the UK, accounting for a 65% share of total exports. Moreover, preserved frozen potato exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Brazil (6.2K tons), threefold. Belgium (3.1K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Ireland stood at -4.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+70.7% per year) and Belgium (+64.7% per year).
In value terms, Ireland ($21M) remains the key foreign market for frozen potatoes prepared or preserved exports from the UK, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($6.4M), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 8.4% share.
From 2013 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Ireland totaled -6.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+73.4% per year) and Belgium (+55.9% per year).
Export Prices By Country
In 2022, the average preserved frozen potato export price amounted to $1,633 per ton, with an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $1,722 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($4,389 per ton), while the average price for exports to Brazil ($1,029 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France (+15.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
