Sweet potatoe market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

The sweet potato market in Kuwait, measured by total volume, contracted notably in 2019 to 1 379 т after starting at 1 855 т in 2018. A recovery began in 2020, with the market growing to 1 547 т, and accelerated sharply in 2021 to 2 355 т, an increase of more than 50% from the previous year.

This expansion continued through 2022 and 2023, reaching 2 439 т and 3 307 т respectively. The rise in 2023 was particularly strong, exceeding 35% year-on-year. Throughout the period, the market was almost entirely supplied by imports, which climbed from 1 840 т in 2018 to 3 344 т in 2023, while domestic production remained a minor contributor, ranging between 24 т and 38 т annually.

Preliminary data for 2024 indicates a substantial surge in import volumes to over 15 000 т, suggesting a potential major increase in market supply, though full market size figures for the year are not yet available.

Production sweet potatoe in Kuwait

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Kuwait's sweet potato production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 38 220 kg of sweet potatoes, marking a 33.3% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 38.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 24 000 kg, which also saw the largest decline of 61.3% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Kuwait in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports sweet potatoe from Kuwait

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, sweet potato exports from Kuwait amounted to 1 ton, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports decreased significantly by 94.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -61.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq remained the dominant buyer of sweet potatoes from Kuwait, accounting for 94.7% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of sweet potato exports from Kuwait was recorded at 0.2 thousand US dollars, showing minimal variation compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports decreased by 95.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of -64.3%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the value of sweet potato exports from Kuwait was almost entirely linked to Iraq, which represented 95.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Kuwait

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, sweet potato imports into Kuwait totaled 1 509 tons, reflecting a notable increase of 11.7% compared to 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 351 tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 840 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 26.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with Egypt alone responsible for 94.2% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, sweet potato imports into Kuwait rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 1 928 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 53.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 256 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt remained the primary source for sweet potato imports into Kuwait, accounting for 75.9% of total imports in value terms, while the remainder was distributed among other countries.

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

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