Scottish seed potato exports amounted to over 92,000 tonnes in 2023/24. The largest market is Egypt with 60% of exports, followed by Morocco with 10%. The remainder goes to a further 26 countries with volumes varying from thousands of tonnes to a few hundred.
Moving forward, Scotland is looking to increase exports to a few countries such as Jordan and Brazil. "Scotland exported approximately 700 tonnes to Jordan in the 2023/24 season; we are just finalising the figures for the current season. We recently hosted a delegation from the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture over to Scotland to show them our procedures and hopefully open the market for expansion," explains Patrick Hughes from the Scottish Agri Export Hub. "We aim to grow the export to Jordan to 10,000 tonnes in the next five years.
"We are also looking at similar inward missions from Brazil and other emerging export markets in the near future to let them see our procedures and grow our export there too."
The Scottish Agri Hub will not be exhibiting at Fruit Logistica this year, although there is hope that Scottish seed potatoes may be allowed back into Europe soon.
"Since Brexit, the door remains closed for Scottish seed, or seed from protected areas in England exporting to the EU," said Patrick. "However, we continue to negotiate and we are hoping the change in government may help in getting us access back into Europe. Instead of going to Berlin, we will focus on Potato Europe in September in The Netherlands where we hope to reconnect with the Europeans and let them know that Scotland is open to business once we are allowed back in."
Scotland has the capacity to increase the production of seed potatoes and according to Patrick, the growers would certainly welcome a return to the European market.
"Before the ban Scotland exported 25,000 tonnes of seed each year to Europe. The last couple of years have been challenging with a dip in profitability for potato growing in general due to high input costs and challenging market conditions, but the outlook has changed this season with lower availability and higher prices leading to optimism within the sector."
For more information:
Patrick Hughes
SAOS
[email protected]