Sweet potatoe market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

The sweet potato market in the Philippines exhibited variable production volumes between 2018 and 2023. After maintaining steady output near 525–526 thousand tons in 2018 and 2019, production rose to 546.9 thousand tons in 2020 and reached a peak of 558.3 thousand tons in 2022. The following year saw a contraction to 523.3 thousand tons.

Sweet potato, known locally as camote, remains a fundamental staple and livelihood crop. The market is characterized by emerging high demand for processed derivatives such as flour, confections, wine, and animal feed. Eastern Visayas stands as the leading production region, followed by Bicol, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Caraga, with industry governance and data tracking managed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Production sweet potatoe in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines was among the world's leading producers of sweet potato, ranking 21st globally by production volume.

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Philippines produced 546.9 thousand tons of sweet potato, which represents a 4.0% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 525.6 thousand tons, marking a decline of 2.2% from the previous year.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from the Philippines

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 39-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Philippines exported 623 tons of sweet potato, a decrease of 42.0% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 075 tons, which represented an increase of 3 638.0% from 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of sweet potato from the Philippines were the United States, accounting for 58.7% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia with 19.9%, and Canada with 14.8%. Together, these three countries formed 93.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export volumes in value terms fell to their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 29-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Philippines's sweet potato export value amounted to 661 thousand US dollars, down by 40.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 105 thousand US dollars, representing an increase of 2 448.1% from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the largest market for sweet potato exports from the Philippines in value terms, accounting for 56.5% of total exports, followed by Saudi Arabia with 19.4% and Canada with 14.4%. Together, these three destinations absorbed 90.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to the Philippines

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes in kind reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 41-fold difference between these years. In 2020, sweet potato shipments to the Philippines from abroad amounted to 24 tons, an increase of 3 955.4% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was strongly focused on China, whose share reached 87.3% of total flows, with other partners accounting for the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes in value terms fell to their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, sweet potato deliveries to the Philippines amounted to 32 thousand US dollars, up by 2 128.6% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China took the dominant position in imports in value terms, accounting for 75.8% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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