The global market for potatoes and potato products is going through a period of major transformations. While the global demand for frozen fries continues to grow , the rate of this growth is starting to slow down. Recent data shows surprising contrasts: from explosive export growth in Asia to a collapse in free-buy prices in Europe.
Below are the main trends in the global potato market as of late April 2026.
Asian Breakthrough: China Rebuilds Logistics
Despite serious logistical problems in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz , China continues to demonstrate phenomenal success in french fry exports.
In March, Chinese french fry exports reached a record 43,033 tonnes, which is 36.3% higher than the same period last year. The military conflict in the Middle East hit trade with traditional buyers in the region hard : sales to the United Arab Emirates collapsed from 1,166 tonnes to just 60 tonnes, and shipments to Saudi Arabia fell from 601 to 215 tonnes.
However, China was able to fully compensate for these losses by shifting focus closer to home in the Asia-Pacific markets.
- Philippines: Purchase volumes soared to 11,920 tonnes in March due to a significant price cut.
- Thailand: Thailand increased orders to 6,510 tonnes.
- Japan: Japan acquired 5,966 tonnes, despite a price increase.
An interesting trend is also observed in China’s own imports: the country clearly prefers Canadian french fries at the expense of American ones. In March, Canadian products accounted for 48% of all fry imports to China , while the share of potatoes from the US was only 25% (compared to 63% a year earlier).
As for fresh potatoes, the main buyers of Chinese products in March were Russia (almost doubling its purchase volume to 14,105 tonnes compared to the previous month) and Kyrgyzstan (12,820 tonnes).
Europe: A “Dead” Free-Buy Market and Export Problems
While Asia is increasing volumes, European producers are facing serious difficulties. Exports of frozen fries from the EU-5 countries fell by 6.0% (more than 31,000 tonnes) compared to the previous month , showing the weakest month since February 2022. Sales outside the EU dropped by 12.2% year-on-year , impacted by the Middle East conflict and US tariffs.
The main problem for farmers in France and Belgium has become the stocks of old crop potatoes from 2025.
- Belgium: The free-buy market for Fontane potatoes has effectively zeroed out—Belgapom quotes have remained at zero euros per tonne for the third week running.
- Belgium: The Innovator variety is selling for just €10 per tonne.
- France: The free-buy processing potato market has been dead all season.
- France: The French potato growers’ organization (UNPT) has even issued guidance for farmers on how to use unwanted potatoes as fertilizer or compost in order to clear stores before the new 2026 crop arrives.
Germany is also experiencing difficulties: fresh potato exports fell by 9.9% in February compared to last year , and seed potato exports collapsed by 36.0%.
End of an Era: Closure of the EEX Potato Futures Exchange
A historic event awaits the financial sector of the agricultural market: the European Energy Exchange (EEX) has announced that it will close its processing potato futures contracts in early June.
This platform offered potato futures for more than 65 years and was actively used by farmers and processors to hedge risks and gauge market sentiment. The reason for the closure was a sharp drop in trading volumes after SaxoBank withdrew its clearing banking facilities for the market in 2024.
Early Harvest in Southern Europe and Global Events
In southern Europe, the new agricultural season has already begun.
- Spain: The early potato harvest has started in the Cartagena region.
- Spain: Farmers are getting good prices (from €600 to €650 per tonne) , but the overall area planted with early potatoes in the country is decreasing.
- Spain: According to expert estimates, the planted area could fall by at least 20% this year.
- Portugal: The potato area has decreased by 11.6% compared to last year (down to 14,320 hectares) , and farmers expect lower yields due to winter soil waterlogging and diseases.
Announcement: A major event for the industry this year will be the 13th World Potato Congress, which will be held in Kenya from October 26 to 30, 2026. The theme of the congress is dedicated to global partnerships to enhance food systems , and organizers have already opened the call for abstracts.
