Sweet potatoe market in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Earlier Report Observations

The sweet potato market in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. After a 31% expansion in 2019 to a peak of 2 243 t, the market volume entered a sustained downward trend, contracting by 69% by 2023 compared to that high point.

This decline was mirrored and primarily driven by a sharp fall in domestic production, which more than halved from 2 500 t in 2019 to 836 t in 2023. Exports also diminished throughout the period, while imports remained negligible, leaving the shrinking domestic output as the central factor defining market size.

Production sweet potatoe in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Sweet potato production in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 2 500 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 2 219 tonnes, representing an 11.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 15.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of sweet potato production in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines fell following two years of gains. In 2019, production value peaked at 1 138 thousand US dollars, but dropped to 1 018 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 10.5% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, the overall value increased by 5.8%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The largest single-year increase was recorded in 2019, when the value rose by 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sweet potatoe from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Exports in kind, t

Sweet potato exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, export volumes reached their highest point at 464.6 tonnes, but fell to 177.4 tonnes in 2020, representing a 30.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 60.8%, with an average annual decline of 26.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 44.7%, while the only increase was recorded in 2018 at 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Trinidad and Tobago was the primary market for sweet potato exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, accounting for 77.9% of total export volumes. Other destinations collectively represented the remaining share.

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

World map of product's exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export revenues from sweet potatoes declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports reached their maximum value of 212.2 thousand US dollars, but fell to 81.4 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 30.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 60.5%, with an average annual decline of 26.6%. The largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 44.9%, while the only increase was recorded in 2018 at 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Trinidad and Tobago remained the leading buyer of sweet potatoes from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, accounting for 77.9% of total export value. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020

Imports sweet potatoe to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines imported approximately 0.2 tonnes of sweet potatoes, representing a 20.5% decline from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and China were the main suppliers of sweet potatoes to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The United States accounted for 42.4% of import volumes, Trinidad and Tobago for 34.8%, and China for 22.8%, together making up 100.0% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of sweet potato imports into Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reached 0.4 thousand US dollars, marking a 39.5% decrease from 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and China consistently dominated the import market for sweet potatoes in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The United States accounted for 37.3% of import value, Trinidad and Tobago for 33.7%, and China for 29.0%, collectively representing 100.0% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in value, 2017-2020