The export of seed potatoes has shrunk slightly each year between 2019 and 2023. This is evident from a data analysis by the FAO. Most large European countries saw their exported volume decrease. Disappointing yields and deglobalisation are the underlying causes.
On average, global seed potato exports have decreased by 42.000 tonnes per year from 2019 to 2023. That is an average of 2,5% per year. The Netherlands accounts for the largest volume, according to FAO figures, with 24.000 tonnes. That is an average of 2,7% per year of the total. Our country accounts for more than half of global exports and remains by far the largest player.
Germany outpaces UK
One of the countries that lost a lot is the United Kingdom. That country saw its volume decrease by an average of 6.000 tonnes. This is mainly due to the consequences of Brexit, which meant that Scotland could not ship starting material to all destinations. Due to this decrease, Germany has taken over the third place from the UK. In second place is France, which accounts for 12% of world exports. Here, the volume remained relatively stable.
In percentage terms, the decline in Belgium is even greater, with 13% according to the FAO. That country has dropped to eighth place on the list. Egypt is a notable grower, which is mainly due to the increased volume going to Russia. In the top 10, only the United States is a growth country. On average, it exported 3.300 tons of extra seed potatoes, or 9%, more per year.
Two factors
According to FAO analysts, the shrinkage is caused by two factors. On the one hand, the disappointing yields in 2022 and 2023. As a result, there was simply less volume available. In addition, there is deglobalization and some countries protect their borders with tariff walls. There are also countries that produce more intensive starting material themselves.
If we look at the Dutch export figures, they do not entirely match the picture that the FAO paints. What is striking is that the exported volume fluctuates considerably. In the last six years, it has fluctuated between 714.500 tonnes and 760.000 tonnes. The outlier is 2022, in which more than 855.000 tonnes were exported. The five-year average is 761.478 tonnes. The ten-year average is 775.867 tonnes.