Market research

Sweet potatoe market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Sweet potato production in Eastern Africa increased from 17.4 million tonnes in 2018 to over 19 million tonnes in 2021. This growth was supported by a rise in agricultural activity in Uganda, where output had expanded in prior years, and by market consolidation through acquisitions such as Jackson Farming Company's move to strengthen its presence. Additionally, growing consumer awareness of nutritional benefits and the emergence of new product segments, including sweet potato-based beverages, further drove demand during these years.

Production declined to 17.3 million tonnes in 2022 and then stabilized at approximately 17.1 million tonnes in 2023. The reduction was influenced by challenges highlighted in the market, such as pest and disease management issues and constraints in cold-chain infrastructure, which limited output despite increasing global demand for processed sweet potato products.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production sweet potatoe in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Sweet potato production in Eastern Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 18 545 thousand tons of sweet potatoes, reflecting a slight increase of 1.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 17 450 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 11.5%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a growth of 4.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.5%)	4.9%	1.3%	(2.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sweet potatoe from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2017 to 2020, exports experienced a peak-to-trough amplitude of 4.3 times. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 553 tons of sweet potatoes, which is 281.9% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 16.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	35.0%	(16.0%)	281.9%	63.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, France, and the United Arab Emirates were the main destinations for sweet potato exports from Eastern Africa. South Africa accounted for 9.9% of exports in kind, France for 8.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 1.4%. Together, these three countries absorbed 20.2% of total sweet potato exports from the region.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms peaked in 2020 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, with a swing of 2.4 times between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported sweet potatoes worth 332.3 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep increase of 135.1% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 141.4 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.1%)	(17.0%)	135.1%	21.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for sweet potatoes from Eastern Africa was broad. France was the largest buyer, accounting for 34.8% of exports in value terms, followed by South Africa at 4.7% and Belgium at 3.2%. Together, these three countries contributed 42.7% of total exports in value terms, while many other countries held smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sweet potatoe to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Foreign sweet potato supplies to Eastern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 63 tons of sweet potatoes, constituting an abrupt decline of 47.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 80.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 41.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(23.6%)	(51.0%)	(47.5%)	(41.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo continued to be the main suppliers of sweet potatoes to Eastern Africa. South Africa accounted for 6.6% of imports in kind, Egypt for 2.0%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 0.6%. Together, these three countries formed 9.2% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's volume of sweet potato imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 95.1 thousand US dollars, constituting a decrease of 28.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 77.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 38.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.8%)	(67.5%)	(28.6%)	(38.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Egypt, and China were the principal sources for sweet potato imports in value terms. South Africa accounted for 27.8% of imports in value terms, Egypt for 25.6%, and China for 2.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 56.0% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io