India’s processed potato products, particularly frozen fries, are demonstrating remarkable growth in global exports, establishing themselves as a significant force in the international market due to their competitive pricing strategy.
In May 2025, India’s frozen fry exports reached their second-highest monthly total ever, at 21,933 tonnes. This figure represents a substantial 34.4% increase compared to May 2024 and was only 165 tonnes less than the record set in March of the same year.
Looking at the broader picture, exports for the year leading up to May 2025 totalled 196,150 tonnes, marking a 34.0% surge over the previous 12-month period. This impressive growth occurred despite the average export price decreasing by 7.6% in May 2025 compared to May 2024, settling at ₹94,272/tonne (approximately €941 or US$1085), which was the lowest price recorded since the end of 2022. Despite this price drop, the 12-month value of exports reached a record ₹19.133 billion (€190 million or US$220 million), an increase of 22.6% year-on-year.
India’s success is largely attributed to the highly competitive nature of its products over the past two years, which has helped secure new sales. This competitive advantage was further enhanced in May. Key markets for Indian fries include:
- Southeast Asia: Sales to the Philippines, while down 11.4% over the annual period, showed a strong rebound in May 2025, increasing by 76.8% to 5,450 tonnes. Sales to Thailand decreased by 29.2% annually and 65.9% in May. However, Malaysia and Indonesia experienced solid growth, with annual sales up 44.6% to 20,004 tonnes for Malaysia and 15.1% to 11,818 tonnes for Indonesia.
- Gulf States (Middle East): India has made significant inroads in this region, where European suppliers have traditionally held a strong position.
- Saudi Arabia: Exports jumped by 314% over the last year to 20,377 tonnes, and May 2025 figures were up 233% compared to May 2024.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): Sales surged by 406% over the year to 15,358 tonnes, with May 2025 trade up 77.6% from the previous year.
Within the broader global fries market, other major players are also active. China, for instance, recorded a new monthly record for fry exports in June 2025 with 32,406 tonnes, representing a 114.3% increase year-on-year. This surge was facilitated by cheaper domestic raw potato prices, allowing Chinese exporters to offer lower prices in competitive Southeast Asian markets. The Philippines was China’s largest customer in June. New Zealand also experienced its strongest month for processed potato exports since April 2020, shipping 7,387 tonnes in June 2025, with increased volumes to Southeast Asian customers such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Similarly, Argentina saw its highest sales in the past 12 months, reaching 18,776 tonnes, primarily driven by lower prices and abundant domestic potato supplies, with Brazil being its largest customer.
The global market for processed potato products remains dynamic, with various countries leveraging competitive pricing and strong regional demand to expand their export volumes. India’s strategic focus on offering competitive prices has enabled it to secure a growing market share, particularly in the Middle East and parts of Southeast Asia, solidifying its position as an increasingly important player in the international frozen fry trade.
Source: World Potato Markets, a weekly newsletter dedicated to Global Potato Industry.
