Sweet potatoe market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sweet potatoes in Madagascar grew from 1 089 тыс. т in 2018 to 1 330 тыс. т in 2021, a 22% increase. This expansion was driven by agricultural improvements such as crop rotation in key regions and post-harvest loss reduction initiatives like the Odof program, which introduced industrial nurseries and processing machinery. Additionally, the emergence of a new sweet potato flour segment created additional demand for raw tubers.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume slightly declined to 1 299 тыс. т in 2022 and stabilized at 1 301 тыс. т in 2023. During this period, the market saw growing interest in organic farming and agroforestry systems, which supported production resilience but did not drive further volume expansion.

In 2024, institutional developments included the adoption of a new investment law simplifying administrative procedures for agribusiness and a national strategic plan aiming to transform food systems, both focusing on strengthening the agricultural sector including sweet potato production.

Production sweet potatoe in Madagascar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Madagascar ranked as the 13th largest producer of sweet potatoes in the world.

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Madagascar's sweet potato production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 210 thousand tonnes of sweet potatoes, marking an 8.7% year-over-year gain. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 17%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Madagascar in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Madagascar's sweet potato production value increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 927 million US dollars, representing an 11.4% rise compared to the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 19.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 832 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 21.5% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Madagascar in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sweet potatoe from Madagascar

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign sweet potato supplies from Madagascar totaled 134.5 tonnes, a 17.3% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was 52.1 tonnes in 2018, which saw the largest decline of 29.0%. In contrast, the largest increase of 119.8% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Comoros were the two dominant destinations for Madagascar's sweet potato exports in kind. France accounted for 71.7% of total flows, while Comoros made up 28.3%, together comprising 100.0% of exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Madagascar's sweet potato export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 103.0 thousand US dollars, showing a solid 20.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 26.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest value was 50.8 thousand US dollars in 2018, which experienced the largest decline of 37.8%. The largest increase of 68.8% occurred in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Madagascar's sweet potato exports in value terms was highly concentrated, with France and Comoros jointly accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Madagascar

Imports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for Madagascar's sweet potato imports in kind was extremely narrow, with China alone responsible for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China was the key partner for Madagascar's sweet potato imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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