Sweet potatoe market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the sweet potato market in China experienced fluctuations, starting with a high volume of 52,960 thousand tons in 2018. This period saw the rapid development of the frozen potato products market, spurred by the entry of international brands like McCain Foods and Lamb Weston, which stimulated processing activity. In 2019, market volume dipped to 50,123 thousand tons, though global frozen potato product exports grew and China transitioned to a net exporter. By 2020, volume recovered to 51,518 thousand tons as the processing industry expanded, seed potato certification and quality control tightened, and consumer preferences shifted toward healthier foods.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume stabilized around 51,000-51,500 thousand tons. In 2021, advances in cold chain logistics and packaging, including flash-freezing and low-oxygen packaging, enhanced product freshness and taste. Domestic investments in frozen french fry production and the spread of contract farming models promoted规模化 production. In 2022, national policies supporting agricultural restructuring and the普及 of healthy eating concepts fueled demand for sweet potato and its processed products. In 2023, volume edged up to 51,373 thousand tons amid rising frozen fry capacity, strong domestic demand from fast-food chains and households, and continuous introduction of new products and flavors.

In 2024, the market continued to evolve with frozen french fry production reaching around 500 thousand tons, largely localized, and exports growing steadily. Leading companies like Kaida Hengye strengthened full-chain advantages. The popularity of air fryers boosted household consumption, while cold chain development expanded the frozen potato product market. The national sweet potato technology system enhanced breeding and quality control, driving variety improvement and processing capacity. Rising demand for freshness saw widespread adoption of flash-freezing and low-oxygen packaging, and fast-food industry expansion altered consumption patterns.

Production sweet potatoe in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China was the world's leading producer of sweet potatoes from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 51 540 thousand tonnes of sweet potatoes, marking a modest increase of 2.7% compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 50 163 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 53 009 thousand tonnes. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.4%, and the highest growth was seen in 2018 at 3.0%.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from China

Exports in kind, t

China's exports of sweet potatoes declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 22 769 tonnes, down by 42.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 48.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 49 657 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong and Vietnam were the primary buyers of sweet potatoes from China, together accounting for 82.5% of total exports by volume. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's export value of sweet potatoes decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 15 586 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 56.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 72%, with a compound annual growth rate of -34.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 65 368 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 17.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export value distribution was heavily dominated by Hong Kong, which held a 76.4% share of total flows. Other partners accounted for relatively minor shares.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to China

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The lowest import volume was in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a 14.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China imported 99 tonnes of sweet potatoes, a steep reduction of 75.5% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 402 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 883.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the main source of sweet potato imports to China, accounting for 73.7% of total import volume. The remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import value trend was unstable throughout the period. The lowest value was in 2020, and the highest was in 2019, with a fourfold difference between these years. In 2020, import value totaled 53 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp drop of 74.7% from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 at 210 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 81.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key partners in import value terms were Vietnam (36.9% of imports), Asia, not elsewhere specified (31.9%), and Indonesia (20.8%). Together, these three accounted for 89.6% of total import flows.

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

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