Sweet potatoe market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The sweet potato market in Asia opened the period at 60 546 thousand tons in 2018, a level supported by the rising adoption of domestic varieties and the explosive growth of the whole-food snack segment, where dried sweet potato production surged. Market volume then contracted in 2019. A rebound followed in 2020, with volume reaching 58 415 thousand tons, as the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for convenient and healthy snack options, directly boosting consumption of sweet potato products.

From 2021 to 2023, the market stabilized around 58 000 thousand tons. The expansion of cultivation area and a rise in production in 2021 helped maintain supply. This period was also characterized by the continuous increase in the share of domestic varieties, which exceeded 40% by 2023, strengthening the supply base. However, the gradual decline in volume to 57 963 thousand tons by 2023 was influenced by the emerging impact of climate change on crop yields.

Recent developments highlight sustained health and convenience trends driving the snack market. The adoption rate of domestic varieties continues to advance, reaching 37.1%, while ongoing efforts focus on developing climate-resilient varieties and improving cultivation techniques to stabilize production in the face of environmental variability.

Production sweet potatoe in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

In 2018, Asia's sweet potato production reached its peak at 60 569 thousand tons. The following year, 2019, saw the lowest output at 57 086 thousand tons, marking a significant decline of 5.8%. Production then recovered slightly in 2020 to 58 409 thousand tons, representing a modest increase of 2.3% compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Asia's sweet potato production value has been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 73.8 billion US dollars, which is 24.6% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 46.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports sweet potatoe from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Asia's sweet potato exports in 2020 amounted to 103.0 thousand tons, showing a substantial increase of 33.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 36.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.9%. The only decline during this time occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 0.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom were the main buyers of sweet potatoes from Asia, accounting for 1.4%, 1.1%, and 0.6% of exports in kind respectively. Together, these three countries represented 3.1% of Asia's total sweet potato exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of sweet potato exports from Asia has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports totaled 130.2 million US dollars, which is 2.0% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 26.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for sweet potato exports in value terms was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. France accounted for 1.7% of export value, the Netherlands for 1.6%, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 1.1%. Together, these three represented 4.3% of total export flows, with the remaining 95.7% distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's sweet potato import volume has increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached 108.6 thousand tons, up by 24.9% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 54.4 thousand tons, which represented a decline of 21.2% from the previous year. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase at 59.8%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 57.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Australia, and the United States led Asia's sweet potato import structure by volume. Egypt accounted for 10.1% of imports in kind, while Australia and the United States each represented 1.0%. Together, these three countries comprised 12.2% of Asia's total sweet potato imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of sweet potato imports into Asia has increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached 123.5 million US dollars, reflecting a slight rise of 0.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 55.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, the United States, and Australia remained the leading sources in Asia's sweet potato import structure by value. Egypt accounted for 12.1% of import value, the United States for 3.8%, and Australia for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented 19.0% of Asia's total sweet potato import flows by value.

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

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