Sweet potatoe market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

Sweet potato production and market volume in SADC rose consistently from 13 798 thousand tons in 2018 to over 15 271 thousand tons in 2021, marking a period of steady expansion.

This trend reversed in 2022 with a significant contraction to 14 046 thousand tons, followed by a partial recovery to 14 303 thousand tons in 2023.

Production sweet potatoe in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Sweet potato production in SADC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 14 645 thousand tonnes of sweet potatoes, marking a 1.4% rise compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 5.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13 798 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year drop of 10.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with production growing by 4.6%.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Export volumes fluctuated widely, with a 7.6-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2020, SADC exported 7 075 tonnes of sweet potatoes, representing a sharp year-on-year increase of 66.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 935 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 66.8%. Conversely, 2019 recorded the largest increase, with exports surging by 353.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for sweet potato exports in kind were the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Portugal. Together, these countries accounted for 67.2% of total export flows, maintaining their central role throughout the period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this timeframe. Export values peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a four-fold gap between these years. In 2020, SADC exported sweet potatoes worth 5 857 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 44.2% year-on-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 460 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 41.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with export values rising by 178.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Portugal remained the primary markets for sweet potato exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 42.9% of exports, the United Kingdom for 26.2%, and Portugal for 2.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 71.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to SADC

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend over the observed timeframe. Import volumes varied, with a 1.9-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2019. In 2020, SADC recorded sweet potato deliveries of 963 tonnes, which represents a substantial 90.5% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was in 2019 at 505 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 964 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with imports dropping by 47.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Special Categories, and Egypt formed the key group of partners for sweet potato imports in kind to SADC. Kenya accounted for 6.6% of imports, Special Categories for 1.4%, and Egypt for 1.2%. Together, these partners represented 9.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign sweet potato supplies to SADC increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, SADC imported sweet potatoes worth a total of 1 136 thousand US dollars, showing a modest gain of 6.7% compared to 2019. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 27%, which equates to an average annual growth rate of 8.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, imports of sweet potatoes in value terms to SADC were distributed across a wide range of markets. Egypt accounted for 6.5% of imports, Belgium for 2.8%, and Kenya for 1.3%. Together, these three markets represented only 10.6% of total import flows.

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

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