Sweet potatoe market in Hong Kong

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sweet potatoes in Hong Kong grew steadily from 3 711 tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 8 055 tonnes in 2021, with the market value reaching 17.8 million US dollars. This expansion coincided with increased sweet potato production in China, driven by the promotion of virus-free seed potatoes and higher mechanization levels, which boosted yields. At the same time, the growing consumer focus on nutrition and health raised demand for sweet potatoes as a healthy food item, supporting import volumes into Hong Kong.

After 2021, the market volume contracted to 4 058 tonnes in 2023, with the value declining to 12 million US dollars. This downturn occurred alongside policy developments in China, such as the inclusion of sweet potatoes in the legal definition of grain, which encouraged domestic consumption. Rising procurement prices in China may have reduced the attractiveness of imports, while the industry's need for technological upgrades in processing also posed supply-side constraints.

Production sweet potatoe in Hong Kong

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

In 2020, Hong Kong produced 60 200 kg of sweet potatoes, showing a moderate decrease of 3.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 3.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 59 400 kg. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018 at 4.6%, while the biggest increase was seen in 2019 with a 4.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Hong Kong in kind, 2017-2020, kg

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, Hong Kong's sweet potato production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 175.7 thousand US dollars, representing a significant drop of 31.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 257.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hong Kong in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sweet potatoe from Hong Kong

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Hong Kong exported 81 tonnes of sweet potatoes, representing an 11.7% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 73 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 91 tonnes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 20.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Hong Kong's sweet potato exports in volume terms were Macao, the United States, and Australia. Together, these markets accounted for 65.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Hong Kong's sweet potato export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 237 thousand US dollars, marking a 21.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 26.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 360 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 11.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Macao (50.2% of export value), the United States (12.1%), and Australia (10.4%) consistently held the top positions in Hong Kong's sweet potato export structure by value. Together, these three markets accounted for 72.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Hong Kong

Imports in kind, t

Hong Kong's sweet potato imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 7 348 tonnes, showing a substantial 51.3% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 115.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 29.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia were the three principal sources for Hong Kong's sweet potato imports by volume, together accounting for 87.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Hong Kong's sweet potato import value amounted to 16 441 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 45.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 81.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 22.1%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019 with a 3.9% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Japan (68.3% of import value), Indonesia (10.5%), and Vietnam (8.6%) remained the key sources for Hong Kong's sweet potato imports by value. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 87.3% of total import flows.

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

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