Sweet potatoe market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the sweet potato market in MENA showed notable volatility, with production volume peaking at 573 thousand tons in 2020 after a decline to 492 thousand tons the previous year, while the overall market size followed a similar pattern.

Starting in 2021, the increased digitalization of fruit and vegetable supply chains in the Middle East and North Africa presented new market opportunities. However, production decreased to 538 thousand tons that year and fell sharply to 361 thousand tons in 2022. During this period, numerous food industry initiatives emerged to convert sweet potatoes into value-added products like chips, fries, and nuggets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which helped shape future demand dynamics.

Production recovered to 433 thousand tons in 2023, primarily driven by Egypt's dominant role as the region's leading sweet potato exporter. Egyptian exports to the European Union grew by approximately 45%, surpassing the United States, supported by government policies promoting agricultural exports through trade agreements such as GAFTA and the EU-Egypt Association Agreement. By 2024, further expansion was anticipated, with Egyptian frozen potato export capacity projected to rise by 50% and strategic agri-tech partnerships forming to enhance market access across the Middle East.

Production sweet potatoe in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 573.3 thousand tonnes of sweet potatoes, marking a 16.6% year-over-year increase. Production grew by 40.4% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual growth rate of 12.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.9% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 36.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, sweet potato production in MENA was valued at 892.8 million US dollars, showing a sharp 28.9% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 15.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 692.7 million US dollars, and the highest in 2018 at 950.5 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 27.1% decrease.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, sweet potato deliveries from MENA totaled 33 313 tonnes, representing a 27.6% decrease year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 45 998 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 110.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France remained the top buyers of sweet potatoes from MENA, accounting for 36.6%, 21.1%, and 7.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 65.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values varied 2.4 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2019. In 2020, sweet potato exports from MENA totaled 51 389 thousand US dollars, a 5.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 54 404 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 85.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France continued to lead as the main buyers of sweet potatoes from MENA in value terms, with shares of 36.9%, 21.6%, and 8.1%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 66.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to MENA

Imports in kind, t

MENA's sweet potato imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 18 845 tonnes, up by 89.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 163.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 38.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in kind was diverse. Australia, the United States, and Uganda accounted for 4.9%, 4.7%, and 1.6% of imports in kind, respectively, totaling only 11.1% of total flows. The remaining 88.9% came from many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweet potato imports into MENA increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 29 674 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic gain of 39.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 111.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sweet potatoes were imported into MENA from many countries. Even the largest destinations—the United States, Australia, and Uganda—together represented only 26.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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