Sweet potatoe market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The sweet potato market in Argentina began the period at a high of 149 thousand tons in 2018, supported by a reported surge in consumer demand of around 10% driven by greater health awareness and a preference for fresh produce. Climatic factors such as rains and cold also affected the harvest that year. Market volume then contracted to 125 thousand tons in 2019, a period when cultural dynamics and the entry of new traders and producers continued to influence wholesale market operations in the Metropolitan Buenos Aires area.

From 2020 to 2022, the market showed relative stability, fluctuating between 121 and 127 thousand tons. After a minor recovery to 127 thousand tons in 2020, volumes gradually eased to 121 thousand tons by 2022.

By 2023, the market stood at 120 thousand tons. The broader fruits and vegetables sector in Argentina has been shaped by demand for healthy diets and fresh products, with the sweet potato supply being notably seasonal and concentrated in the winter months from key provinces like Buenos Aires and Santiago del Estero. Looking ahead, the market continues to be characterized by the dominance of the fresh segment, a growing frozen products category including sweet potatoes, and the ongoing influence of climatic and seasonal factors on production cycles.

Production sweet potatoe in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Argentina's sweet potato production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 125.0 K t of sweet potatoes, marking a modest 4.2% increase from 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 16.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 120.0 K t, with the sharpest year-on-year drop of 15.4% also occurring that year.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Argentina exported 855 t of sweet potatoes, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged dramatically by 10 332.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 370.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay and Spain dominated Argentina's sweet potato exports in volume, together accounting for 99.2% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Argentina's sweet potato exports were valued at 265 K $ US, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 1 103%, with a compound annual growth rate of 129.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uruguay was the leading market for Argentina's sweet potato exports in value terms, holding a 78.2% share of total flows, while other countries made up a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

The import market for sweet potatoes in Argentina showed significant volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 3 244 t, representing a sharp decline of 27.1% from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 759 t. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019 at 34.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 324.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was overwhelmingly dominant in Argentina's sweet potato imports by volume, accounting for 98.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms displayed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 960 K $ US, showing a substantial increase of 63.1% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 136 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 48.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 157.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Brazil effectively concentrated Argentina's sweet potato imports in value terms, with a share of 99.1% of total flows.

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

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