In W28 in the potato landscape, the global dehydrated potato market is projected to grow from USD 6.02 billion in 2023 to USD 9.68 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.03%. This growth is mainly attributed to the rising popularity of potato products with long shelf life. Egypt remains the second-largest supplier of sweet potatoes to the Dutch market, increasing its exports to the Netherlands annually, surpassing other supplying countries. Egypt exported 42 thousand metric tons (mt) of sweet potatoes to the Netherlands in MY 2021/22, while in the first nine months of MY 2022/23, exports increased to 51 thousand mt. From May-23 to Jun-23, the potato exports remained low, resulting in no significant change in the final result of the total volume of potato exports. Furthermore, the United States (US) reduced sweet potato exports by 13% to 76 thousand mt in five marketing years. Although there is an increase in exports from other supplying countries, their export volumes still remain relatively low compared to the leading potato exporters such as Egypt and the US.
The Netherlands is the world's biggest importer of sweet potatoes, with annual imports ranging from 180 thousand mt to 190 thousand mt. In the current MY, the country imported over 155 thousand mt of sweet potatoes, the highest in six seasons. The United Kingdom's (UK) potato industry has improved in 2023, but growers struggled to recognize the shortage of potato supply due to last year's available supply. Potato prices began rising in May-23 and may remain elevated throughout winter due to reduced planting. Meanwhile, Scotland's growing conditions are favorable, with rainfall on July-23, and primary harvest is expected to start on Sep-23. Seed growers lost a significant portion of their export market after Brexit, and British growers have started growing varieties to fill the supply. However, no new markets have opened for Scottish seed potatoes, and the Scottish Government expects production to drop below 10 thousand hectares (ha) for the first time in many years. On the other hand, sweet potato production in Baodian Town, Dezhou, is increasing, with Longshu No. 9 being a popular variety because of its high yield and sweetness. The output per 0.01 ha can reach 4.8 thousand kg of sweet potatoes, with combined first and secondary crops reaching 6 thousand kilograms. China's current sweet potato market primarily caters to domestic consumption. However, with the growing global demand for sweet potatoes, China may explore opportunities to enter the export market in the future.
Washington State is a major producer of processed potatoes, accounting for 90% of the state's production. Potato growers in Washington are optimistic about a successful crop for 2023 despite a cold spring. It is also one of the earliest fall-producing states, ensuring availability during the early season. The harvest season extends until early Nov-23, and Washington's state-of-the-art storage systems ensure the supply of high-quality potatoes throughout 2023. Furthermore, the International Potato Center in Peru is incorporating novel late blight resistance from wild diploid accessions into tetraploid potatoes to improve food security and overcome reproductive barriers. Researchers are using genetic engineering and marker-assisted introgression to introduce these genes from wild species.