Sweet potatoe market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The Central American sweet potato market volume fluctuated in the early years of the period, starting at 69.9 thousand tons in 2018, declining to 65.2 thousand tons in 2019, and then recovering sharply to 84.2 thousand tons in 2020. In 2021, the market volume stabilized at 83.7 thousand tons amid expectations of higher prices due to increased tariffs on imports from the United States.

Market volume remained stable at 82.5 thousand tons in 2022. A significant expansion followed in 2023, with consumption reaching 97.2 thousand tons. This growth coincided with a reported reduction in sweet potato supply from North America, where consecutive years of acreage declines in key producing states like North Carolina tightened global availability, likely supporting local market growth. Entering 2024, international factors such as the devaluation of the Egyptian pound and shipment delays from Egypt influenced global sweet potato prices and supply chains.

Production sweet potatoe in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Central America's sweet potato production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 102.4 K t of sweet potatoes, marking a significant 21.5% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 84.3 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 10.4%.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from Central America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Central America exported 18 387 t of sweet potatoes, showing a gradual decline of 5.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 24.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.8%. The most significant drop was in 2018 at 22.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom formed the core group of markets for sweet potato exports from Central America. The United States accounted for 26.1% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 22.1%, and the United Kingdom for 17.6%. Together, these three countries represented 65.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweet potato exports from Central America increased after two years of decline. In 2020, exports reached 10 606 K $ US, reflecting a sharp advance of 46.0% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 262 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 29.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States consistently held leading positions in the value structure of sweet potato exports from Central America. The Netherlands accounted for 26.8% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 20.4%, and the United States for 14.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Central America

Imports in kind, t

Central America's sweet potato import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of sweet potatoes, showing a limited drop of 8.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 40.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and the Dominican Republic were the main sources for sweet potato imports into Central America. Together, they accounted for 31.2% of total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Central America's sweet potato import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 449 K $ US, amounting to a strong advance of 12.5% year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 382 K $ US, and the largest decline also occurred in 2018 with a drop of 25.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States and the Dominican Republic remained the largest sources for sweet potato imports into Central America in value terms. Together, they held a joint share of 61.6% of total import flows.

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

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