Sweet potatoe market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

Sweet potato production in Israel reached a peak of 42 650 t in 2018, driven by a significant expansion of the harvested area that year. The market volume then contracted over the following two years, falling to 31 336 t by 2020. This decline coincided with the approval of new front-of-pack nutritional labeling legislation in August 2019, which took effect in January 2020 and affected the marketing of processed sweet potato products. Persistent limitations on the allocation of foreign worker visas during this period also constrained agricultural labor availability.

A partial recovery emerged in 2021, with production rising to 37 434 t as the government issued approximately 31 000 visas for foreign agricultural workers, alleviating some labor shortages. However, output fell again in 2022 to 30 530 t amid tighter phytosanitary regulations governing plant protection and imports. The most severe contraction occurred in 2023, when production dropped sharply to 27 699 t following the October 2023 attacks and the ensuing war, which caused direct damage to farmland and severely disrupted operations in the key southern growing regions.

The broader regulatory environment for the sector evolved throughout the period, marked by Israel's adoption of European Union standards for food imports and ongoing updates to packaging and labeling requirements. These changes, along with shifting consumer preferences toward healthier and more sustainably packaged products, formed a consistent backdrop for the market.

Production sweet potatoe in Israel

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Israel's sweet potato production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 34 262 tonnes of sweet potatoes, marking a slight reduction of 2.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 42 650 tonnes, which represented a 16.6% increase from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 17.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, sweet potato production in Israel declined in value terms. In 2020, sweet potato output was valued at 42 066 thousand US dollars, representing a 17.5% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 7.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 50 978 thousand US dollars, following a 7.4% increase in 2018.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from Israel

Exports in kind, t

Israel's sweet potato exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 2 931 tonnes of sweet potatoes, representing a 6.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 484 tonnes, which marked a 20.5% increase from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 29.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, France and the Netherlands accounted for the majority of Israel's sweet potato exports in volume terms, while other markets individually represented smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Israel's sweet potato export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported sweet potatoes worth 3 599 thousand US dollars, representing a 21.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 21.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 5 112 thousand US dollars, following a 10.9% increase that year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France and the Netherlands clearly dominated Israel's sweet potato export structure in value terms, while other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Israel

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed volatility during the observed period. In 2020, Israel imported 5 tonnes of sweet potatoes, representing a 4.4% decrease compared to 2019. The lowest import level was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 28 tonnes, creating a 5.3-fold difference between these years. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 80.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 87.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, China (51.3% of import volume), the United States (22.1%), and the Philippines (18.5%) formed the core group of suppliers for Israel's sweet potato imports, together accounting for 91.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. In 2020, Israel imported sweet potatoes worth 6 thousand US dollars, representing a 14.3% decrease compared to 2019. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 32 thousand US dollars, creating a 5.3-fold difference between these years. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when import value fell by 78.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 100.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China (50.8% of import value), the United States (21.3%), and the Philippines (19.7%) continued to lead as the main suppliers of sweet potatoes to Israel, jointly accounting for 91.8% of total import value.

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

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