Asia: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Asia

In 2021, the Asian sweet potato market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 3.1%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sweet Potato Production in Asia

In value terms, sweet potato production rose slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid 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) remains the largest sweet potato producing country in Asia, accounting for 88% 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.

In China, sweet potato production plunged by an average annual rate of -1.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Indonesia (-5.4% per year) and Vietnam (-0.2% per year).

The average sweet potato yield rose rapidly to X tons per ha in 2021, surging by 6.2% against 2020. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. As a result, the yield attained 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, the harvested area of sweet potatoes in Asia contracted modestly to X ha, which is down by -3.4% on the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area showed a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 1.8%. 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

In 2021, sweet potato exports in Asia fell to X tons, reducing by -8.4% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports, however, recorded a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 86% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato exports declined to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 99% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Vietnam (X tons), Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons) and China (X tons) represented the main exporter of sweet potatoes in Asia, committing 77% of total export. Indonesia (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Japan (X tons). All these countries together held near 16% share of total exports. The following exporters - Malaysia (X tons) and Israel (X tons) - each finished at a 3.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key 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 ($X) remains the largest sweet potato supplier in Asia, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Vietnam amounted to +16.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+29.2% per year) and China (+3.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

In 2021, overseas purchases of sweet potatoes decreased by -56.7% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, imports, however, posted a pronounced increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 327% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato imports declined significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 40%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

Imports by Country

Thailand was the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 38% of total imports. Malaysia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Japan (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and Singapore (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 51% share of total imports. The following importers - Lebanon (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - each accounted for a 4.3% 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, the largest sweet potato importing markets in Asia were Thailand ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and Japan ($X), together comprising 71% of total imports.

Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +31.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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 amounted to $X per ton, surging by 76% against the previous year. In general, the import price enjoyed a measured expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 96% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while Lebanon ($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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