Sweet potatoe market in Angola

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Angolan government implemented policies to revive national agricultural production, aiming for food self-sufficiency and reducing import dependency. Sweet potato, as a domestic crop that substitutes imported goods like wheat bread, became a strategic priority. This policy support for both family and commercial farming created a foundation for consistent production growth over the period.

A significant boost came in 2020 when Palanca Batatas Fritas initiated industrial production of fried and frozen potato products, including sweet potato fries. The launch of new processing lines expanded the market for processed goods and increased demand for raw sweet potatoes, directly contributing to higher production volumes in the following years.

Sweet potato production in Angola showed steady growth from 1 688 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 998 thousand tons in 2023, with only a minor stabilization in 2019. By 2023, Angola ranked as the world's fifth-largest producer, with around 2 million tons of output primarily directed to the domestic market. Despite logistical challenges, continued government emphasis on import substitution and support for agricultural productivity sustained this expansion.

Production sweet potatoe in Angola

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Angola ranked seventh globally in sweet potato production volume.

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Angola's sweet potato production volume increased. In 2020, Angola produced 1 750 K t of sweet potatoes, showing a modest 4.1% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 3.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 1 680 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Angola in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sweet potatoe from Angola

Exports in kind, kg

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest exports were recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, reflecting a 343-fold gap between these years. In 2020, sweet potato deliveries from Angola totaled 400 kg, marking a steep 96.6% year-over-year drop. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 675 kg, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 6 933.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner base for sweet potatoes in kind was extremely narrow, with Namibia alone accounting for 97.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2017, while the maximum occurred in 2019, showing a 38-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Angola exported $381 US of sweet potatoes, representing a 96.7% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at $11 542 US, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 2 169.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia held the dominant position in sweet potato exports in value terms, accounting for 77.2% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Angola in value, 2017-2020

Imports sweet potatoe to Angola

Imports in kind, kg

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. The minimum imports were recorded in 2020, while the maximum occurred in 2019, showing a 41-fold variation between these years. In 2020, sweet potato imports to Angola reached 111 kg, corresponding to a sharp 97.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 519 kg, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 97.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo continued to lead the list of markets for sweet potato imports in kind, together accounting for 89.8% of total flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The trough was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 10.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Angola imported approximately $855 US of sweet potatoes, amounting to a 15.9% year-over-year drop. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at $9 132 US, with the largest decline in 2019 at 88.9% and the largest increase in 2018 at 199.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa played a leading role in sweet potato imports to Angola in value terms, with a share of 84.5% of total flows, and the remainder distributed across other partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Angola in value, 2017-2020