Sweet potatoe market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

Sweet potato market volume in Northern America grew from 1 209 тыс. т in 2018 to 1 413 тыс. т in 2019. This expansion was supported by increased industry activity, including Jackson Farming Company's acquisition of a sales team to bolster its presence and Lamb Weston Holdings' move into frozen potato products, which signaled broader market development.

Market volume then receded to 1 379 тыс. т in 2020 and 1 327 тыс. т in 2021. During this period, the market value showed a different pattern, rising to $835.1 млн in 2021 despite the lower physical volume.

From 2022 onward, the market volume continued to contract, reaching 1 095 тыс. т in 2023. This occurred alongside positive consumer shifts, such as rising demand for health-conscious, convenient, and value-added sweet potato products, including frozen items and snacks.

Production sweet potatoe in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

In 2019, sweet potato production in Northern America reached 1 367 thousand tons, but declined by 5.8% in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15.5%, with an average annual decrease of 5.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 242 thousand tons, which represented a significant drop of 23.2% from the previous year. However, production rebounded in 2019 with a notable increase of 16.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of sweet potato output in Northern America was 745.8 million US dollars, but this decreased by 5.8% in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, the production value declined by 19.1%, averaging an annual reduction of 6.8%. The lowest value was observed in 2018 at 701.3 million US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 24.0% from 2017. The following year, 2019, saw a recovery with a 12.9% increase in value.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

Sweet potato exports from Northern America have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, export volume reached 42 681 tons, representing a 2.4% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 44.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands dominated sweet potato exports from Northern America in volume terms, accounting for 80.4% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Northern America's sweet potato export value has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 23 294 thousand US dollars, up 2.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 37.9%, with an average annual increase of 11.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands was the primary buyer of sweet potatoes from Northern America in value terms, representing 77.9% of total exports. Other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Sweet potato imports into Northern America showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 009 tons, which was a 4.0% decrease from 2017. In contrast, imports surged to 54 980 tons in 2020, marking a dramatic increase of 1 132.5% compared to 2019. Overall, import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 13.7-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of sweet potato imports into Northern America by volume were Honduras (2.2%), Jamaica (1.5%), and China (1.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 4.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Northern America's sweet potato import value has risen for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 64 685 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong year-over-year increase of 14.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 39.0%, averaging an annual rise of 11.6%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the largest suppliers of sweet potatoes to Northern America by value were Jamaica (4.6%), Honduras (2.4%), and China (2.0%). Collectively, these three countries represented 8.9% of total import value.

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

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