Australia: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Australia

The Australian sweet potato market was estimated at $X in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Sweet potato consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sweet Potato Production in Australia

In value terms, sweet potato production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the average yield of sweet potatoes in Australia contracted modestly to X tons per ha, reducing by -2.8% compared with 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the yield increased by 12%. Over the period under review, the average sweet potato yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. 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 Australia; rising by 2.5% on the previous year. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 4.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production attained the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, shipments abroad of sweet potatoes decreased by -15.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 109% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato exports dropped to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 111%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) were the main destinations of sweet potato exports from Australia, together accounting for 83% of total exports. Qatar, Hong Kong SAR and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +287.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Singapore ($X) and Malaysia ($X) constituted the largest markets for sweet potato exported from Australia worldwide, with a combined 78% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Hong Kong SAR, Qatar and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 20%.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +280.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average sweet potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 7.3% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sweet potato export price increased by +68.9% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 57%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Qatar (+17.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were imported into Australia; jumping by 66% against 2020 figures. Overall, imports recorded significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 112% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, sweet potato imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 149% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of sweet potato to Australia, accounting for a 79% share of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), tenfold. Vietnam (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +36.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+93.8% per year) and Vietnam (+19.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sweet potatoes to Australia, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled +32.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+97.6% per year) and Vietnam (+25.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sweet potato import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 2.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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