Scotland wants to expand seed potato exports, negotiates return to EU market

The largest market is Egypt with 60% of exports, followed by Morocco with 10%. The remainder goes to a further 26 countries with volumes ranging from thousands of tonnes to a few hundred.

In the future, Scotland is looking to increase exports to a few countries such as Jordan and Brazil. “Scotland exported around 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 in Scotland to show them our processes and hopefully open up the market for expansion,” explains Patrick Hughes from the Scottish Agri Export Hub. “We are looking to increase exports to Jordan to 10,000 tonnes over the next five years.”

“We are also looking at similar domestic missions from Brazil and other emerging export markets in the near future to show them our procedures and grow our exports there as well.”

The Scottish Agri Hub will not be exhibiting at Fruit Logistica this year, although there is hope that Scottish seed potatoes may soon be allowed back into Europe. "Since Brexit, the door remains closed to Scottish seed potatoes, or seed potatoes from protected areas in England, exporting to the EU," says Patrick. "However, we are continuing to negotiate and we hope that the change of government can help us get back into Europe. Instead of going to Berlin, we are focusing on Potato Europe in September in the Netherlands, where we hope to reconnect with the Europeans and let them know that Scotland is open for business once we are allowed back in."

Scotland has the capacity to increase seed potato production and according to Patrick growers would certainly welcome a return to the European market. "Before the ban Scotland was exporting 25,000 tonnes of seed potatoes to Europe each year. Recent years have been challenging with a dip in profitability for potato production 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 industry."

For more information:Patrick HughesSAOSpatrick.hughes@saos.coop