Sweet potatoe market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the sweet potato market volume in Western Asia expanded from 57 thousand tons to 96 thousand tons. This growth was fueled by increasing consumer demand for healthy alternatives and the wider availability of frozen sweet potato products. The launch of new items like preservative-free mashed sweet potato in Europe and marketing initiatives for healthy frozen options in the Middle East encouraged higher consumption. Despite rising transport and logistics costs in the Gulf region in 2022, the market continued to grow.

The market contracted sharply to 67 thousand tons in 2023, primarily due to supply chain disruptions caused by regional conflicts. The war in the Middle East affected shipping through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, increasing costs and delaying deliveries. These logistics challenges hampered imports, especially from Egypt, a key supplier that was simultaneously boosting exports to Europe.

Production sweet potatoe in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Asia produced 37 622 tonnes of sweet potatoes, showing virtually no change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 37 555 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 45 860 tonnes. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 18.1%, whereas the largest increase took place in 2018 with a 14.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, sweet potato production in Western Asia experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 51 331 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 10.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 57 598 thousand US dollars, and the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 with a 13.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sweet potatoe from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Sweet potato exports from Western Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes totaled 3 214 tonnes, representing a 7.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 21.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 939 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 29.3% decrease, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 21.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Russia formed the main cluster of markets for sweet potato exports from Western Asia in volume terms. France accounted for 44.4% of exports, the Netherlands for 26.8%, and Russia for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented 74.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Western Asia's sweet potato exports declined in value for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 4 385 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial decrease of 18.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 11.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 907 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in the same year with a 19.2% rise.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Afghanistan were the core markets for sweet potato exports from Western Asia in value terms. France held a 47.1% share of exports, the Netherlands 28.3%, and Afghanistan 5.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 80.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of sweet potatoes in Western Asia showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 16 010 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2020 with 39 081 tonnes, representing a 2.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports surged dramatically by 82.2% compared to the previous year. The most notable decline was observed in 2018 with a 14.7% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the dominant source of sweet potato imports to Western Asia in volume terms, absorbing 79.0% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweet potato imports into Western Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 30 067 thousand US dollars, up by 40.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 109.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 28.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, the United States, and Australia were the largest suppliers of sweet potatoes to Western Asia in value terms. Egypt accounted for 60.4% of imports, the United States for 15.5%, and Australia for 8.6%. Together, these three countries formed 84.5% of total import flows.

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

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