Global frozen potato trade volume went up 3.4% YTD (January-September 2021) compared to the same 2019 period, but the YTD product (Year-to-Date) fell by 4.7%. Overall, A-INSIGHTS analysts saw a sharp increase in trade which signals further recovery of demand.

For the September 2021 vs. September 2019 comparison, the global frozen potato trade volumes were up 14.7%, signaling a further recovery of demand visible in the past months.

“At 740,000 tons, the September trade volume is one of the highest trade volumes recorded for frozen potato products, with only the trade volume in October 2019 (741,000 tons) slightly higher. Prices remained 2.4% below 2019 levels, implying that supply recovery has slightly outpaced demand,” the A-INSIGHTS analysts recently wrote.

Majority of Additional Volume Supplied by the Top Three Exporters

The 94,200 tons of additional trade volume in September is mainly supplied by the top three exporters: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Canada, experts added. Together, the countries supply 85% of the increase in trade volume. While trade prices of most European exporters remain below pre-COVID levels, Canada manages to increase the trade price by14% compared to September 2019. Whilst the majority of additional volume from Canada is destined for the US, the price increase is aided by increase exports at favorable prices to Japan and Mexico.

Global Recovery Enhanced by a Further Increase of US Demand

Trade volumes are up compared to pre-COVID levels in almost all countries, although the US continues to stand out in terms of volume increase (+30%). The Netherlands appears to be a notable outlier with a 2,500 tons decrease in imported volume, as exports increased and production was comparable to 2019 levels. Another notable decline in imported volume is found in China, where imports were roughly a third of pre-COVID levels.