Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market Size, Share, Opportunities And Trends By Application (Food Ingredient, Food Product, Snack, Culinary), By Form (Powder, Solid), By Distribution Channel (Foodservice, Retail) - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

Description

Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market Size:

The Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market is set to reach USD 23.118 million in 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.33% from a valuation of USD 10.386 million in 2020. 

Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market Highlights

• Rising consumer demand for convenient, shelf-stable potato products drives market expansion.
• Growth in fast food and foodservice sectors increases mashed potato usage.
• Urbanization and income growth fuel higher consumption of processed potato-based foods.
• Local production initiatives reduce reliance on imports and enhance product availability.

The mashed potato dish is often considered comfort food and is simple to prepare. The popularity of mashed potatoes stems from their versatility and convenience, as they can be paired with a variety of main dishes. Additionally, mashed potatoes are a nutritious side dish that provides a good source of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. The Saudi Arabian mashed potato market is experiencing a significant surge in demand, driven by changing consumer lifestyle patterns, government support for local agriculture, and the growth of modern retail and foodservice sectors. The effects of rising urbanisation, an increasing working population, and growing demand for convenient and ready-to-eat meals are evident in the market, where instant and frozen mashed potato products have become the main beneficiaries of this trend. 

Local potato production has been elevated through government projects under the Vision 2030 umbrella, such as the Saudi Potato Development Programme (SPDP) and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) investments. These initiatives have boosted the entire supply chain infrastructure and acquired new high-yield varieties, such as Spunta, Ajax, Mirka, and Diamant, which in turn have lowered the need for imports and helped stabilise the market. Consumer adoption has also been propelled by innovation in product offerings, which include flavoured, fortified, and convenient-to-prepare formats. 

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Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market Overview & Scope

The mashed potato market in Saudi Arabia has been growing gradually for the past couple of years. This growth is attributed to lifestyle changes of consumers, the process of urbanisation, and the demand for convenient, ready-to-eat products. The market is dominated by both domestic and international players who provide various Saudi mashed potato products, such as instant mashed potatoes, flavoured varieties, and frozen options. Some of the key factors leading to this market’s expansion are the increasing working population seeking quick meal solutions, the growth of modern retail channels such as supermarkets and hypermarkets, as well as the rising popularity of Western-style diets among the youth.  

The sharp rise in potato output in Saudi Arabia is the main reason for its mashed potato market growth. With the increase of local farming, there is a better supply of good-quality potatoes for the industry, allowing producers to expand their products in the instant and frozen mashed potato sectors. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia has published that potato production increased by 47% in 2023, thus the country has a self-sufficiency level of 86% with the total volume of potatoes exceeding 621,750 tons compared to 423,770 tons in 2021.     

Aligning with Vision 2030 objectives, the Saudi government has deployed various initiatives, such as the development of the Saudi Potato Programme (SPDP) and the Ministry of the Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) investment to increase local potato production. The supply chain has been made more robust, self-sufficiency has been raised to a higher level, and the mashed potato market has expanded as a result of the comprehensive implementation of programs to promote the use of Spunta, Ajax, Mirka, and Diamant high-yield varieties, the establishment of cold storage facilities, and the continuation of international cooperation with the Netherlands and other countries. 

Moreover, the foodservice industry, which comprises hotels, restaurants, and fast-food chains, is a major driver of the increased consumption of mashed potato products, particularly in the case of instant and ready-to-eat formats that are quite popular due to their quick preparation. This rise aligns with the massive infrastructural projects that are underway, including 275 projects with 67,614 rooms currently being worked on, and an ambitious plan to expand the total hotel capacity to 500,000 rooms by 2030. The sector is vibrant and has great growth potential, as evidenced by the share of international brands in hotels, rising from 47% to 65%.   

The Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market is segmented by:

• Product Type: The powder segment is anticipated to witness major growth in the product type of the market, due to their functionality in offering longer shelf life, convenience, and ease of storage along with transportation. Moreover, the rise in demand for ready-to-prepare food products in the country is also boosting the demand for powdered mashed potatoes.
• Application: The food ingredients segment is anticipated to grow at a significant rate in the Saudi Arabian mashed potato market, driven by its wide usage in diverse dishes, such as restaurants and processed food manufacturing. This is also promoted due to its ability to complement a diverse range of dishes, as well as its versatility as a food ingredient in Saudi Arabian cuisine.
• Distribution Channel: The offline channel is expected to hold the largest share in the Saudi Arabia mashed potato market because it offers wide accessibility in urban regions like Jeddah and Riyadh, which have the presence of large retail infrastructures such as supermarkets and convenience stores.
• End-Use: the food services segment is predicted to expand at a substantial pace, driven by the demand for these mashed potatoes in the consistent and efficient preparation of side dishes in fast food chains of the country.

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Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market Growth Drivers vs. Challenges

Drivers:

Substantial Rise in Potato Production and Consumption: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in potato production in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's hot and dry climate provides ideal conditions for growing potatoes. The majority of the country's potato production occurs in the cooler northern regions, such as Tabuk and Al-Jawf. Moreover, advancements in agricultural technology and irrigation methods have enabled the cultivation of crops in arid and semi-arid regions, such as Saudi Arabia, where water is scarce. As a result of these innovations, farmers are now able to cultivate potatoes in areas that were previously unsuitable for farming, leading to a significant increase in potato production nationwide.

Likewise, there has been an increase in potato yields in Saudi Arabia. For instance, according to data from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture as of May 2025, the country experienced significant growth in potato production. It reached a self-sufficiency rate of 87 percent. The potato production in Saudi Arabia reached approximately 621,750 tons in 2023, a 47% increase. This was because more than 17,000 acres have been planted with potatoes in the country, compared to approximately 15,890 acres in 2021. This gives a measure of self-sufficiency of 87% in potatoes, and consequently, the Kingdom has decreased its import of these products from foreign fields, aligning with its food policy. This increase in the local production of potatoes indicates that ready sources of supply are now available for the manufacture of numerous mashed potato products. Owing to the large quantity of raw materials available at low prices, local manufacturers and processors of potatoes can produce and market mashed potato products at a lower cost than the current one. It will also be found that potatoes of local production are, as a matter of course, of much greater uniformity of quality than those now being received from foreign points. This is because there will be greater care used in their handling and all of them will be of a uniform quality when they are received, with the result that the manufactured product will be of much greater uniformity than that which is obtained for marketing at present.

Dependence, and at least dependence on imported potatoes, will be materially lessened under the present conditions of marketing and of distribution mileage of these imported commodities, which will also reduce materially the cost of the imported raw material, and hence the cost of handling the imported produced potato products. This means the cost of the initial inequalities and the operation cost of the masticating machine are low, and hence the price of the produced potato food substances by the public is lowered. The large amount of potatoes produced domestically not only enhances the nation or kingdom's food security, but also lays a strong foundation for the production of potato food products, among others. This results in reduced dependence on imported food, and coupled with increased quality, enables the kingdom to more effectively develop its locally produced potato food products, which continue to experience growing demand.  

The data support the growth of increased production and consumption of potatoes, as Saudi Arabia cultivated 17,000 Hectares to produce 621,750 tons of potatoes in 2023. Increased production ensures a stable, abundant supply of raw material for processors of potatoes, thus minimising imported supplies and lowering costs. This directly assists in strengthening the Saudi Arabian mashed potato market, as product availability is improved, and quality is ensured. The manufacturer is better enabled to meet the rising consumer demand, whilst rendering competitive prices.

• Rising Disposable Income: The increasing disposable income, coupled with the working population in the country, supports consumers to spend on premium and quick-prep foods processed foods, like mashed potatoes. According to the General Authority for Statistics data titled “Household Income and Consumption Expenditure Survey,” which was published in 2023, the average monthly disposable income of the country was SAR 11,839, of which the Saudi household's monthly disposable income accounted for SAR 18,056. Further, the per capita disposable income in the country was SAR 3,195 monthly.

Challenges:

• Scarcity of Water and Variability of Climate: The arid climate of the country limits the potato cultivation, which can also impact the potato yield. The irrigation for potato farming heavily relies on the water resources for production, which water shortage in the country can impact the market supply chains.

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Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Type: Powder

By product type, the Saudi Arabian mashed potato market is segmented into powder and solid. The Saudi Arabian market for powdered mashed potatoes, encompassing products like powdered variants, has experienced a notable growth in recent years. In 2023, the Kingdom imported a total of approximately 11,780,000 kilograms of these products valued at around USD 27,990,000, compared to previous years. This constant increase in the availability of these potato products indicates an increasing demand for convenient, shelf-stable, and imported alternatives.    

The leading countries supplying powdered potato products in 2023 were Australia, Holland, India, Oman, and Germany. The principal exporting nation was Australia, sending approximately 3,150,000 kilograms valued at USD 7,480,000, closely followed by Holland with 1,980,000 kilograms valued at USD 4,710,000. India and Oman also contributed a large share of the imports of sulphur products, India exporting around 1,710,000 kilograms and Oman with 1,570,000 kilograms. It will be noted that the Kingdom is entirely dependent on imports, which supply it with the whole of its product requirements. The import volume of potato flour and meal (HS Code 110510) was considerably less. In 2023, the amount of these products imported to Saudi Arabia was 1,537,430 kilograms, accounting to USD 3.26 million. The leading countries exporting these products were Turkey, Germany, and India. Turkey was the leading supplier, with shipments of 454,941 kilograms worth approximately USD 965,730. Germany and India were second and third with 299,576 kilograms and 232,462 kilograms, respectively. This disparity in the import volume of the powdered products and flour and meal products indicates a much smaller market for the latter.   

Several factors are contributing to the rising demand for powdered mashed potatoes in Saudi Arabia. The convenience of these products aligns with the fast lifestyle of urban customers. In addition, the long shelf-life and convenience of storage of the product also appeal to both the home and foodservice sectors. The growing population of expatriates and the foodservice sector’s expansion contribute to the increased consumption of these convenience foods.

By End-use: Food Service

By end use, the Saudi Arabian mashed potato market is segmented into food service and household/ consumer use. Saudi Arabia's food service industry is experiencing a significant transformation, mainly due to the Vision 2030 program that aims to promote tourism and entertainment, including projects like Qiddiya and Red Sea Global. Consequently, there has been a swift increase in the number of hotels, restaurants, and fast-food joints. Among others, McDonald's, Burger King, and Subway have been using frozen mashed potatoes more as a quick-preparing side dish, reducing the overall kitchen prep time and ensuring the same quality for every batch. One of the main products in this sector that has contributed to the industry's growth is frozen potato products, including mashed potatoes, which have a considerable market share.

The initiatives to build hotels, attract more tourists, and increase the number of rooms planned are developing a new food and beverage capacity in Saudi Arabia. This will lead to an increase in the number of hotels, restaurants, resort outlets, and event catering, which will raise the demand for side dishes like mashed potatoes in the institutional sector, and promote its market growth. 

According to the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Tourism data, the tourism statistics for inbound tourism rose from 27.42 million in 2023 to 29.73 million tourists in 2024, along with a rise in domestic tourism from 81.92 million tourists in 2023 to 86.16 million tourists in 2024.

In addition to this, the busy urban lifestyle, along with the operational efficiency requirements in the high-volume settings, are the other main aspects that are pushing the frozen mashed potato adoption; they offer a longer shelf life, very little preparation, and cost savings in comparison with the fresh alternatives. Food service providers appreciate the wide range of dishes they can prepare with potatoes, from casual dining sides to plated meals in hotels, as they all fall under the broader trend of quick meal solutions, thus fuelling the overall Saudi Arabia mashed potato market in the coming years.

The rapid urbanization, coupled with higher per capita incomes, is contributing to the growth of a larger middle-class population in the nation, which is increasingly consuming fast food and dining out more frequently. This leads to an increase in processed potato products like mashed potatoes in commercial kitchens, because of the affordability and nutritional retention, like vitamins, fiber, that appeal to the health-conscious consumers in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market Competitive Landscape

The market is fragmented, with many notable players, including Nestlé and Unilever PLC, among others.

• Knorr Professional Mashed Potato: It is a product offered by Unilever Food Solutions in Saudi Arabia that offers consistency and reliability similar to traditional mashed potatoes and is packaged in carton form. It also provides fast preparation in about 3 minutes, while minimizing waste of energy, water, potato skin, or time.

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Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market Segmentation:

By Product Type

• Powder
• Solid

By Application

• Food Ingredient
• Food Product

Snack

• Culinary

By Distribution Channel

• Offline
• Online

By End Use

• Food Service
• Household/Consumer Use

Table Of Contents

1. Executive Summary

2. Market Snapshot

2.1. Market Overview

2.2. Market Definition

2.3. Scope of the Study

2.4. Market Segmentation

3. Business Landscape

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities 

3.4. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.6. Policies and Regulations 

3.7. Strategic Recommendations 

4. Technological Outlook 

5. Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market By Product Type (2020-2030)

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Powder

5.3. Solid

6. Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market By Application (2020-2030)

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Food Ingredient

6.3. Food Product

6.4. Snack

6.5. Culinary

7. Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market By Distribution Channel (2020-2030)

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Offline

7.3. Online

8. Saudi Arabia Mashed Potato Market By End Use (2020-2030)

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Food Service

8.3. Household/Consumer Use

9. Competitive Environment and Analysis

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Market Share Analysis

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

10. Company Profiles

10.1. Farm Frites

10.2. Aviko

10.3. Nestlé S.A. 

10.4. Unilever 

10.5. McCain Foods 

10.6. Idahoan Foods

10.7. Mondial Foods

10.8. Lamb Weston

10.9. General Mills 

11. Research Methodology

List of Figures

List of Tables

Companies Profiled

Farm Frites

Aviko

Nestlé S.A.

Unilever

McCain Foods

Idahoan Foods

Mondial Foods

Lamb Weston

General Mills 

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