Asia-Pacific: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, the Asia-Pacific sweet potato market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a mild decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 3.1% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Production in Asia-Pacific

In value terms, sweet potato production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 4.8%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

China (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of sweet potato production, accounting for 86% of total volume. It was followed by Indonesia (X tons), with a 2.6% share of total production. The third position in this ranking was held by Vietnam (X tons), with a 2.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in China totaled -1.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Indonesia (-5.4% per year) and Vietnam (-0.2% per year).

The average sweet potato yield rose significantly to X tons per ha in 2021, increasing by 5.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the yield reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of sweet potatoes were harvested in Asia-Pacific; which is down by -3.1% compared with the previous year. In general, the harvested area showed a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 1.7% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, the amount of sweet potatoes exported in Asia-Pacific contracted to X tons, waning by -8.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 93%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato exports declined to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 115%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Vietnam (X tons), Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons) and China (X tons) represented roughly 78% of total exports in 2021. Indonesia (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Japan (5%). Malaysia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +28.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Vietnam ($X) remains the largest sweet potato supplier in Asia-Pacific, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Vietnam stood at +16.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (+29.2% per year) and China (+3.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia-Pacific stood at $X per ton in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 16%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, overseas purchases of sweet potatoes decreased by -50% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a moderate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 444%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports contracted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Thailand (X tons) was the major importer of sweet potatoes, committing 40% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Malaysia (X tons), Japan (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and Singapore (X tons), together constituting a 53% share of total imports. The following importers - Macao SAR (X tons) and Australia (X tons) - each recorded a 3.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Hong Kong SAR (with a CAGR of +28.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Thailand ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and Japan ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 74% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +31.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 89% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 106%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+7.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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