Summary

The global potato market has shown significant growth and resilience starting from 2020. China maintains the lead as the world's largest potato producer, with production increasing from 75,657,850 tons to 78,236,596 tons in 2020, reflecting the growing consumption trends within the country. The market value of potatoes is projected to climb from an estimated $111.83 billion in 2023 to a forecasted $132.81 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 3.50% during the forecast period (2023-2028). This growth is attributable to the potato's advantages like ease of storage, high yield, low planting requirements, vast planting area, and significant nutritional value that make it an essential crop in the processed food industry. India also follows closely as another leading producer, where potato production has steadily grown in the 2020s in parallel with rising domestic consumption and the increasing demand for convenience foods and processed potato products.

Rooted in Health: Italy's Potato Market Embraces Sustainability and Local Flavor

In Italy, there is a clear trend of increased attention towards the health benefits and sustainability of consuming potatoes. Potatoes are not only a staple in the Italian diet but also provide a versatile and nutritious food source rich in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and fiber. The demand for potatoes in Italy is geographically distributed, with the highest monthly household expenditure in the southern regions, reaching approximately €4.17, reflecting the strong local production in regions such as Sicily and Campania. Despite a reduction in spending on potato purchases in 2022, with a decrease of approximately 13.9 percent from the previous year, the apparent per capita consumption of potatoes has seen an increase of about 7.8 percent over the period from 2018 to 2022. This suggests that potatoes continue to be a popular and accessible component of Italian diets. Italians have shown to prioritize the quality/price ratio when purchasing potatoes, with over half of the survey sample citing it as a key factor. Around 45 percent of the respondents also value the national origin of the product, indicating a preference for domestically grown potatoes.

Moreover, about 60 percent of consumers expressed a willingness to spend more on sustainable potato products. Regarding consumption habits, the majority of the Italian adult population reports consuming at least one serving of vegetables per day, with approximately 39.4 percent consuming 2-4 servings per day, indicating that vegetables, including potatoes, are a regular part of their diet. The Italian potato market has seen an increase in hectares cultivated for potatoes by about 1.3 percent from 2018 to 2022, indicating a growing agricultural activity and interest in the sector. Additionally, there has been a substantial growth in the number of enterprises active in potato processing and preservation, amounting to an increase of about 85.7 percent from 2017 to 2021. The sector is predominantly composed of individual entrepreneurs and self-employed workers, representing about 48.5 percent of the industry's structure. In conclusion, the Italian potato market is characterized by an increased focus on health, sustainability, and local production, with growing demand and activity in both agricultural cultivation and processing sectors. The market is supported by a variety of consumption habits and preferences that embrace the nutritional value and versatility of potatoes as a food staple.

Leading Companies Shaping the Italian Potato Market

The Italian potato market features a range of key players that cover various aspects of production, processing, and distribution of potatoes. Each company highlights the diversity and specialization found within the Italian agricultural sector. Here's a description of the notable entities in this market:

  • EUR. OP. Fruit Soc. Cooperative: EUR. OP. Fruit stands tall with its strategic partnerships and subsidiaries. As a partner in Naturitalia and Natura Nuova, this cooperative showcases a strong presence in the domestic and international GDO (Large Organized Distribution) and DO (Organized Distribution). Their expertise lies in fruit marketing and industrial processing, leveraging consortium structures to diversify quality fruit and vegetable offerings.
  • Asso Fruit Italia Società Cooperativa Agricola: Asso Fruit Italia, based in Basilicata, makes its mark with an array of vegetable crops like hydroponically grown cherry tomatoes, escarole, and parsley, as well as cauliflower and romanesque cabbage. This player demonstrates its commitment to traditional agriculture while embracing innovative farming techniques to enhance product quality.
  • La Campagnola Soc. Cooperativa Agricola: La Campagnola, established in 2002, is a reflection of the strong tradition in potato growing in Italy. By focusing on the cultivation of this staple crop, they contribute significantly to the national produce and maintain the rich agricultural heritage of the country.
  • C.O.A.M. Agricultural Cooperative Soc: Since 1964, C.O.A.M. has blended tradition with innovation to transform agricultural excellence into culinary delights. Their dedication to the craft and respect for the natural products, as well as their eco-friendly practices, set them apart in the market.
  • Ortomad Società Agricola s.r.l.: As part of the La Linea Verde group, Ortomad was founded in 1998 and has since become a specialist in horticultural product cultivation. Their expertise in I gamma (packaged, unwashed product) and IV gamma (packaged, ready-to-eat) salads is a testament to their adaptability and focus on current market trends.
  • La Maggiolina: With its roots in organic farming, La Maggiolina, as a Producers' Organisation, boasts a network of member producers across Lombardy, Campania, and Veneto. Their impressive cultivation of glass-covered lands ensures a steady supply of organic and I gamma packaged salads.
  • Colle D'Oro: Nestled in an untouched natural setting.
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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
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  • Last update : 20/12/2023
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Summary and extracts

1 Synthèse du marché

1.1 Introduction

The potato market includes the production, distribution and sale of different types of potatoes, both for direct consumption and industrial processing. The main varieties are:[Cookist]

  • White potatoes: These potatoes have a pale, floury flesh due to their high starch content. They are ideal for making dumplings, mashed potatoes and croquettes.
  • Yellow-fleshed potatoes: Unlike white-fleshed potatoes, these are compact, firm and low in flour. Known as Agata, Spunta and Liseta, they are ideal for crispy fries, potato salads and baked side dishes. They are less suitable for making dumplings and mashed potatoes.
  • Red potatoes: These potatoes have a mild but strong flavor. Although they have a red skin, the inner flesh is yellow, firm and not very floury. They are excellent boiled, fried or pan-fried, and can be used to make baked stuffed potatoes.
  • American potatoes: Also known as sweet potatoes, they have a mild, sweet flavor. They contain more potassium and vitamin C, but less starch and sugar than other varieties. They are very versatile in cooking.
  • New potatoes: These small, compact potatoes are freshly harvested tubers that are ideal for baked or pan-fried side dishes. They are not suitable for making dumplings or mashed potatoes.
  • Vitelotte Potatoes: These potatoes have a purple skin and flesh, are rich in antioxidants and lower in calories than other varieties. They can be used boiled or to make dumplings.
  • Turkish Potato: This ancient variety has a bright purple skin and dark yellow flesh. it is excellent boiled, roasted or cooked under the coals.

In Italy the annual production of common potatoes is around 1,500,000 tons, obtained on an area of about 60,000 hectares. Forty-five percent of all potato production comes from just three regions: Campania (22 percent), Emilia-Romagna (12 percent) and Abruzzo (11 percent).[Zipmec]

The size of the global potato market is estimated at US$111,825.01 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$132,813.04 million by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate(CAGR) of 3.50% during the forecast period(2023-2028).[Mordorintelligence]

This analysis focuses specifically on the potato market in Italy. For information on related markets, such as fruits and vegetables, please refer to the specific studies available in the Businesscoot catalog.

1.2 The global market

Potatoes represent the third most important food crop globally after rice and wheat in terms of human consumption. Exisoto over *,*** edible varieties of potatoes that can be found mainly in the Andes of South America. In addition, there are over *** species of wild potatoes, despite the fact that they are not ...

1.3 The local market

The Italian market consists of both early potatoes and common potatoes: more than one million tons of classic potatoes and just under half a million tons of early or new potatoes are produced each year. Common potatoes are grown mainly in Emilia Romagna, Campania , and Abruzzo, while the production of new ...

1.4 Analysis of Imports and Exports

In Italy, the potato sector plays a significant role in the agricultural economy. Potato imports and exports are key factors influencing market dynamics; interestingly, despite domestic production, the value of potato imports clearly exceeds that of exports. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors, including steady demand in the domestic ...

1.5 Impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

Following the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, there was a significant increase in the consumer price index. The scenario of geopolitical instability has affected several sectors of the global economy, with direct impacts on the cost of consumer goods. Due to tensions in the energy market and disruptions in supply chains, ...

2 Analyse de la demande

2.1 Demand characteristics

During ****, households experienced a significant reduction in spending on potato purchases, down **.* percent from the previous year. Despite the reduction in spending, potatoes remain a versatile and nutritious food: rich in complex carbohydrates, vitamins and fiber, potatoes offer nutritional benefits, contributing to energy intake and digestive health.

The highest expenditure value ...

2.2 Demand drivers

As shown in the chart below, most Italians consume at least one vegetable a day. Specifically, about*% of Italians consume about one serving per day, while **.*% report consuming about *-* servings of vegetables per day.

Vegetable consumption habits (***) Italy, ****, in thousands Istat The first factor that drives Italians to buy potatoes ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

To analyze the geographical distribution of tuber demand in Italy, a map was created with the share of monthly household expenditure for each Italian macro-region. The regions of Southern Italy have the highest expenditure, amounting to €*.** current. The main potato-producing regions are Sicily and Campania , which account for about a third ...

3 Structure du marché

3.1 Market structure and dynamics

Analysis of the size of the potato market requires an assessment of the hectares of land devoted to cultivation. In ****, there was a*.* percent increase over **** in hectares cultivated for potatoes, indicating a significant increase in agricultural activity related to this product.

Cultivated area - potatoes Italy, ****-****, hectares (***) Ismea Enterprises ...

3.2 Value Chain

Cultivation: potato cultivation involves activities such as soil preparation, planting, irrigation, and disease and pest management Harvesting: once the potatoes are ripe, they are harvested. This can be done manually or with machinery. Processing: potatoes can be processed in various ways, such as cleaning, cutting, drying, or processing into products such ...

3.3 Distribution channels

Wholesale

In ****, there were *,*** enterprises active in the wholesale trade of preserved fruits and vegetables in Italy, a category in which potatoes (***) are included. This number increased in the last year by *.*% compared to ****.

Firms active in the wholesale trade of fresh or preserved fruits and vegetables Italy, ****-****, in ...

3.4 Main actors

The following are the main Italian players for potato production:

EUR. OP. Fruit. soc. cooperativa: Eur.O.P.Fruit is a partner in the commercial subsidiary Naturitalia, through which it implements marketing to domestic and foreign GDO and DO. It facilitated the establishment of Natura Nuova, a consortium structure that implements ...

4 Analyse de l'offre

4.1 Overview of the Offering

There are different types of potatoes and each has its own characteristics. Tubers par excellence, accessible and inexpensive ingredients, potatoes can be eaten in any way and can be used for starters, main courses and rich side dishes.

White potatoes: these are the most widely known and used type of potato; ...

4.2 Prices

The following is an average product pricing, analyzing the available squares and products.

[***]

[***]

4.3 Agriculture 4.0

Agriculture *.* is a type of farming that uses a range of technologies to improve agricultural efficiency and production. Agriculture *.* is an upgrade of precision agriculture (***) and is useful for harnessing technological innovation to improve farm efficiency, increase yields and product quality. Tools and technologies used by precision agriculture include:

sensors in ...

5 Règlementation

5.1 Rules and regulations

Potato production in Italy faces multiple challenges, influenced by environmental factors and changes in agricultural policies.

Common Agricultural Policy (***) ****-****: the European Union's new Common Agricultural Policy has introduced specific financial supports for the potato sector. These funds are intended to support farms in acquiring more efficient machinery and equipment, applying ...

6 Positionnement des acteurs

6.1 Segmentation

  • Eur.O.P.Fruit
  • Assofruit
  • La Campagnola Soc. Cooperativa Agricola
  • C.O.A.M.
  • Ortomad
  • O.P. La Maggiolina
  • Colle D'Oro Società Consortile Agricola

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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Eur.O.P.Fruit
Assofruit
La Campagnola Soc. Cooperativa Agricola
C.O.A.M.
Ortomad
O.P. La Maggiolina
Colle D'Oro Società Consortile Agricola

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