Sweet potatoe market in Indonesia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the sweet potato market in Indonesia experienced notable volatility. After a decline from 1 796 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 505 thousand tonnes in 2019, the market volume partially recovered to 1 592 thousand tonnes in 2020. However, it contracted again to 1 533 thousand tonnes in 2021, a period marked by a reported 30-50% shortfall in raw material supply for the processing industry, which constrained output. The market then surged sharply to 1 995 thousand tonnes in 2022, a growth driven primarily by the Ministry of Agriculture's push to strengthen food security by promoting sweet potato cultivation as an alternative carbohydrate source, supported by farmer training and financing facilities.

Throughout the period, structural developments aimed at adding value and expanding the market. Export initiatives for fresh produce, including sweet potatoes, gained momentum in 2019, opening international avenues. From 2020 onward, industry focus shifted toward developing derivative products like flour, processed foods, and bioethanol to enhance value addition. Furthermore, the introduction of new national quality standards for local food products and specific regulations for frozen storage in 2022 and 2024 sought to improve product quality and supply chain infrastructure, laying groundwork for more stable market conditions.

Production sweet potatoe in Indonesia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia held the 7th position globally in sweet potato production.

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2018-2021

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2018-2021

In 2021, Indonesia produced 1 546 thousand tonnes of sweet potatoes, marking a 3.6% year-on-year decline. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 516 thousand tonnes. That year also saw the largest decrease of 16.1%, while 2020 experienced the biggest increase at 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Indonesia's sweet potato production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 1 336 million US dollars, reflecting a modest 3.1% year-on-year improvement. Between 2018 and 2021, however, production value decreased by 16.4%, translating to an annualized decline of 5.8%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 1 216 million US dollars, which also recorded the steepest drop of 23.9%. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest increase of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports sweet potatoe from Indonesia

Exports in kind, t

Indonesia's sweet potato exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 12 665 tonnes, showing a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 16.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 10 816 tonnes, which saw a slight decline of 0.4%. The most significant increase occurred in 2020, with a 10.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Malaysia, Japan, and Singapore were the primary destinations for Indonesia's sweet potato exports by volume, accounting for 36.6%, 30.8%, and 20.9% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 88.2% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Indonesia's sweet potato export value increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 10 947 thousand US dollars, indicating a solid 13.7% rise over the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 14%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 673 thousand US dollars, which experienced a 9.7% decline. The largest increase was in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia remained the key markets for Indonesia's sweet potato exports by value, collectively accounting for 85.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021

Imports sweet potatoe to Indonesia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Import volumes peaked in 2019 at 20 tonnes, then dropped to zero in 2020, representing a complete shift. In 2020, Indonesia imported no sweet potatoes, indicating a 100% contraction compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 117.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China was virtually the sole supplier of sweet potatoes to Indonesia, accounting for 100% of total imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile in these years. Imports reached their highest point in 2019 at 16 thousand US dollars, then fell to zero in 2020, a dramatic change. In 2020, sweet potato imports to Indonesia amounted to zero US dollars, down by 99.7% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 20.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, nearly all sweet potato imports to Indonesia by value were linked to China, with its share reaching 99.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021