Potatoes; fresh or chilled (heading 0701): importing markets
HS 0701 covers fresh or chilled potatoes. In 2025, Belgium was the largest importing market at about USD 995 million, followed by the Netherlands (USD…
Published on 12 October 2026Updated on 12 October 2026
HS 0701 covers fresh or chilled potatoes. In 2025, Belgium was the largest importing market at about USD 995 million, followed by the Netherlands (USD 572 million) and Spain (USD 503 million), according to UN Comtrade. For a company exporting from Spain, demand is concentrated in a few European buyers, with Mediterranean and North African markets further down the list.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 12 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0701
- Chapter
- 07 · Vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible
- Subheadings
- 2
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Belgium | 995,034,048 |
| Netherlands | 572,430,728 |
| Spain | 503,054,341 |
| Germany | 383,293,753 |
| United States | 361,320,348 |
| Italy | 356,258,091 |
| France | 297,133,580 |
| Portugal | 191,926,128 |
| Greece | 113,484,930 |
| Romania | 110,995,523 |
| Malaysia | 100,689,915 |
| Egypt | 99,613,831 |
| Mexico | 98,099,156 |
| Algeria | 96,587,327 |
| Canada | 78,922,295 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 12 October 2026
What to know before exporting fresh potatoes from Spain
HS 0701 is the heading for potatoes, fresh or chilled. It belongs to chapter 07 (vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible) and has two subheadings. Frozen, dried or processed potatoes fall under other headings, so the first check is that your product matches this code and not a neighbouring one.
The market is concentrated in Europe. Belgium and the Netherlands lead the table of importers, ahead of Spain, Germany, Italy and France. Several of these countries are also large producers and re-exporters, so imports reflect trade flows between neighbours and processing industries, not only final consumption.
Outside Europe the ranking shows different buyers. The United States, Malaysia, Egypt, Mexico, Algeria and Canada all appear among the fifteen largest importers. They are separate markets with their own entry conditions, and the volume of imports does not say how easy they are to enter.
The duty depends on the subheading, the destination and the agreement in force. For a company exporting from Spain, shipments to other EU countries move within the single market. For non-EU destinations, the applicable duty is checked by code and country in Access2Markets, and the EU side of the operation in TARIC.
Plant health requirements are the main thing to verify. Fresh potatoes are plants and plant products, so the destination country sets its own phytosanitary conditions. The importing country's plant health authority defines them, and Access2Markets lists the requirements by product and destination. Check them before quoting a price, because they affect packaging, documents and transit time.
Figures are declared by importers and lag behind. The table shows what each country reports as imports from the world, not what it buys from Spain. To size a specific opportunity, look at the destination's imports by origin in UN Comtrade or ITC Trade Map, and compare the latest consolidated year with the previous one.
Frequently asked questions
What does HS code 0701 cover?
HS 0701 covers potatoes, fresh or chilled. It sits in chapter 07, vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible, and has two subheadings. The exact subheading you use for customs declarations depends on the type of potato and the national tariff of the destination.
Which countries import the most fresh potatoes?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, Belgium is the largest importer of HS 0701 at about USD 995 million. The Netherlands follows with about USD 572 million and Spain with about USD 503 million. Germany, the United States and Italy complete the top six.
Is Belgium a good market for a Spanish exporter?
Belgium is the largest importer by value, which makes it a reference market. Being the largest importer does not guarantee an opening for a given supplier, because part of those imports can be processed or re-exported. To judge it, check Belgium's imports by origin in UN Comtrade and see how much comes from Spain.
How do I find the duty for exporting potatoes outside the EU?
The duty depends on the subheading, the destination country and any trade agreement between it and the EU. For a company exporting from Spain, it is looked up in Access2Markets by entering the product code and the destination. The result also shows the rules of origin that apply if a preferential rate is available.
Do I need a phytosanitary certificate to export fresh potatoes?
Whether you need one depends on the destination, since each importing country sets its own plant health conditions. Access2Markets lists the requirements by product and country. Confirm them before shipping, as they can determine packaging, documents and permitted varieties.
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