Potatoes are a staple crop in Eastern Europe, with the region being one of the largest producers and consumers of potatoes and processed potato products. The market for potatoes and potato products has been evolving in recent years, driven by changing consumer preferences, the war in Ukraine, and other economic factors.

The demand for potatoes and processed potato products in Eastern Europe has been steadily increasing over the past few years. One of the primary drivers of this trend is the growing demand for convenience foods, which has led to an increase in the consumption of frozen French fries, potato chips, and other processed potato products. Another factor contributing to the growth of the market is the increasing popularity of plant-based diets, which has led to a rise in the consumption of potato-based alternatives to meat products.

However, the situation in the European potato markets is not positive across the board. Growers in Europe saw the cultivation costs increase enormously and many abandoned potato cultivation, or opted to grow potatoes for other segments.

The deficit of potatoes has resulted in huge volumes of imports since September 2022 – the highest volumes in at least ten years, according to experts. The strong need for imports is also a consequence of a poor local harvest in Autumn 2022, which in turn was caused by adverse weather.

Georgia Imports Seed Potatoes

Seed import volumes in Georgia during this pre-season (December-April) are 45% higher than the previous 9-year average for the same months, and the highest since 2015, official reports show.

According to EastFruit, seed potato imports to Georgia usually kick in in December. Most active months for imports are February, March, and April. Imports peak in April, then fall significantly in May, and there are practically no imports until the next December.

As per the official trade data, in this pre-season, monthly import prices (CIF – Cost, Insurance, Freight) range from USD0.80-USD1.00. In year-on-year terms, this is a growth of about 5-10%, however, prices in Georgian Lari have reduced due to the strengthening of Georgia’s currency.

To read the complete article, please refer to our latest May-June 2023 print issue of Potato Processing International.