Sweet potatoe market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the sweet potato market in Ecuador expanded from 5 727 t to 6 593 t. This growth was primarily driven by a sharp rise in imports, which more than doubled from 2019 to 2021, reaching 2 404 t. The increase was supported by greater regional exports from Peru to Ecuador, reflecting growing cross‑border trade and demand within the Andean region. Domestic production remained stable at around 4 200 t annually, indicating that the market’s expansion was largely import‑led.

In 2022, market volume declined to 6 003 t, mainly due to a drop in imports to 1 812 t. That same year, Ecuador’s Ministry of Agriculture identified sweet potato as a product with high potential for agricultural entrepreneurs, highlighting rising demand for fresh and seasonal produce. Several investment projects aimed at producing and marketing sweet‑potato fries as an alternative snack were also launched, pointing to efforts to diversify product uses and stimulate local value addition.

The market contracted sharply to 4 089 t in 2023, as imports fell to nearly zero. Domestic production held steady at 4 199 t, while exports, though growing, remained modest at 111 t. Long‑term research by the National Autonomous Institute for Agricultural Research (INIAP) has contributed to improved sweet‑potato quality and productivity in Ecuador over decades, providing a foundation for the sector’s resilience despite recent import volatility.

Production sweet potatoe in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Ecuador's sweet potato production experienced a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 4,273 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 4,174 tonnes, representing a 2.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sweet potatoe from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary destination for Ecuador's sweet potato exports in volume terms, accounting for 80.0% of total shipments. All other countries combined made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Canada and the United States together formed the core markets for Ecuador's sweet potato exports in value terms, jointly representing 88.8% of total export value. Other destinations held relatively smaller shares.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

Ecuador's sweet potato import market demonstrated considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import volume stood at 2,234 tonnes, marking a substantial 51.7% increase compared to 2019. The most dramatic year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, when imports surged by 103.2%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 5.6% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ecuador's sweet potato imports in volume terms were almost exclusively sourced from Peru, which accounted for 100.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Ecuador's sweet potato imports showed an unstable pattern throughout the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2020, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ecuador imported sweet potatoes worth approximately $377,500, representing a sharp 49.6% increase from the previous year. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 with a 176.1% surge, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 31.7% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru was overwhelmingly the main source of Ecuador's sweet potato imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total import value.

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

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