United Kingdom was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Factories that wash, cut, cook and preserve potatoes into frozen fries, chips, flakes and other products. They supply restaurants, retailers and snack brands.
Typical segments
- Frozen fries
- Chips and crisps
- Dehydrated products
- Chilled prepared potatoes
- Starch and by products
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 15% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €26.0 million of products under CN code 20041010 (Cooked potatoes, frozen) from outside the EU in 2025. | 26.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 20041010 were up 15% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€22.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +15 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 20041010 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.55 billion in 2025. | 2.55 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 20041010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.98 billion in 2025. | 2.98 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 20041010 to the EU in 2025, with €21.1 million, or 81% of extra-EU imports. | 21.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 20041010 to the United States were €188.5 million in 2025. | 188.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 20041010 was €1.45 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.45 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Belgium was the largest EU exporter of CN 20041010 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.31 billion. | 1.31 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,000 enterprises in NACE class C1031 (Processing and preserving of potatoes) in 2023. | 1,000 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1031 had net turnover of €21.13 billion in 2023. | 21.13 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1031 employed 42,656 people across the EU in 2023. | 42,656 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 368 private establishments in NAICS 311411 (Frozen fruit, juice, and vegetable manufacturing) in 2025. | 368 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311411 employed an average of 28,996 people in US private industry in 2025. | 28,996 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311411 changed by -2% between 2020 (29,738 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -2 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311411 was $68,002 in 2025. | 68,002 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 20041010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25995892
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 20041010, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 22635699; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 25995892
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 20041010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2552639270
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 20041010, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2979698283
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 20041010, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 21084683
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 20041010, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 188464535
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 20041010, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25995892, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 179675
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter BE, product 20041010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1306499481
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1031, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1000
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1031, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 21134
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1031, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 42656
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311411, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311411, annual_avg_estabs 368
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311411, annual_avg_emplvl 28996
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 29738; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 28996
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311411, avg_annual_pay 68002
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Quick service restaurants
- Retail chains
- Snack brands
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU potato processing market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €26.0 million of goods under CN 20041010 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €2.55 billion.
Where does the EU import potato processing from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Korea, Republic of, China, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of potato processing in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.45 per kilogram for CN 20041010 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most potato processing?
Belgium led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, France.
How many US companies are in the potato processing industry?
BLS counts 368 private establishments in NAICS 311411 (Frozen fruit, juice, and vegetable manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the potato processing industry?
Eurostat counts 1,000 enterprises in NACE class C1031 (Processing and preserving of potatoes).
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