Market research

Sweet potatoe market in New Zealand

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sweet potatoes in New Zealand fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 12 627 t, then gradually declining to 12 100 t by 2020. A rebound to 12 343 t occurred in 2021, followed by a sharp drop to 11 637 t in 2022 and a recovery to 12 528 t in 2023.

The market's recovery in 2023 coincided with a steep fall in exports, which dropped to 2 t from 461 t the previous year, increasing domestic availability. This period also saw fresh potato exports facing phytosanitary market access restrictions while gaining entry to new Asian markets, trends that likely influenced sweet potato trade. Consumer prices for kūmara exhibited significant seasonal swings, peaking in spring and falling in autumn, reflecting supply dynamics that affected market conditions.

Industry reports in 2024 highlighted a strong domestic preference for processed potato products, which captured over 60% of the industry's value, while fresh fruit and vegetable exports grew by 8%. Sustainability reporting emerged as a key focus, indicating evolving practices within the horticultural sector.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in New Zealand
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from New Zealand, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from New Zealand, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to New Zealand, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to New Zealand, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to New Zealand by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production sweet potatoe in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

New Zealand's sweet potato production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2021, the country produced 11 955 tonnes, marking a 1.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 2.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.7%. The lowest output was recorded in 2020 at 11 740 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 2.6% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.6%)	(1.4%)	1.8%	(0.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sweet potatoe from New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

Sweet potato exports from New Zealand have grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 65.5 tonnes, showing a substantial year-over-year increase of 127.3%. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports surged by 187.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 42.2%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.7%	9.2%	127.3%	42.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong was the primary market for New Zealand's sweet potato exports, accounting for 81.0% of the total volume. Other trading partners held relatively smaller shares during this time.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweet potato export values from New Zealand have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 84.3 thousand US dollars, a 39.2% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export values dropped by 29.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 11.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 145.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 21.7%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.7%	(4.6%)	(39.2%)	(11.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Hong Kong dominated New Zealand's sweet potato exports in value terms, representing 78.0% of the total. Other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sweet potatoe to New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

New Zealand imported 454.2 tonnes of sweet potatoes in 2021, a significant 16.7% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 464.5 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 389.2 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.2%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.9%	(16.2%)	16.7%	2.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, China, and Tonga were the main sources of sweet potato imports to New Zealand, contributing 43.4%, 35.5%, and 13.9% of the total volume, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 92.9% of all imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

New Zealand's sweet potato imports in value terms reached 523.9 thousand US dollars in 2021, up 36.1% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import values increased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 533.1 thousand US dollars, while the trough was in 2020 at 385.0 thousand US dollars, which saw the sharpest drop of 27.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.7%	(27.8%)	36.1%	2.5%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, the United States and China were the leading sources for New Zealand's sweet potato imports in value terms, together making up 85.8% of the total. Other destinations played a more minor role.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io