Sweet potatoe market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The sweet potato market volume in Sub-Saharan Africa, measured in physical terms, grew from 26 152 thous. t in 2018 to 28 370 thous. t in 2021, an increase of over 8%. This upward trend reversed in 2022 when volume fell to 26 819 thous. t, a drop of 5.5%, followed by stabilization in 2023 at 26 863 thous. t.

In value terms, the market showed a different pattern, declining from $28 120 mln in 2018 to $21 657 mln in 2022 before recovering to $26 320 mln in 2023. For 2024, exchange rate liberalization in Egypt led to a sharp depreciation of the Egyptian pound, increasing import costs and local prices for sweet potatoes in the region. Additionally, intense rains in South Africa's Brits region affected harvests and delayed supply to municipal markets.

Production sweet potatoe in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's sweet potato production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 27 697 thousand tonnes of sweet potatoes, showing a modest 2.3% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 3.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 26 155 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year drop of 9.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with production growing by 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sweet potatoe from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Sweet potato exports from Sub-Saharan Africa rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 11 102 tonnes, representing a sharp 54.3% surge compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.3%, averaging an annual increase of 1.4%. The export volume hit its lowest point in 2018 at 5 710 tonnes, which also marked the steepest decline of 46.4% during this period.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France were the top destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's sweet potato exports by volume. The United Kingdom accounted for 9.4% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 5.2%, and France at 1.0%. Together, these three countries made up 15.7% of the total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of sweet potatoes from Sub-Saharan Africa increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export earnings totaled 9 812 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial 42.6% year-on-year jump. Between 2017 and 2020, the value of exports rose by 12.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 6 139 thousand US dollars, which also saw the most significant decline of 29.8%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France remained the leading destinations for Sub-Saharan Africa's sweet potato exports by value. The United Kingdom held a 33.1% share of export value, the Netherlands accounted for 21.9%, and France made up 4.3%. Combined, these three countries represented 59.3% of the total export flows in monetary terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports sweet potatoe to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of sweet potatoes into Sub-Saharan Africa showed considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports stood at 3 255 tonnes, marking a sharp 74.7% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.5%. Overall, imports fluctuated significantly, with a 2.4-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2017.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands and Belgium were the primary sources for sweet potato imports into Sub-Saharan Africa by volume. Together, these two countries accounted for 4.6% of the total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's sweet potato imports in value terms reached approximately 2 917 thousand US dollars in 2020, indicating a steep 38.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value increased by 56.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2%. The most notable decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 5.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of sweet potato imports into Sub-Saharan Africa was not highly concentrated among specific countries. Belgium accounted for 10.1% of import value, the Netherlands for 3.7%, and Egypt for 3.3%. Together, these three countries captured only 17.1% of the total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020