Belgium: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian sweet potato market totaled $X in 2021, surging by 6.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, enjoyed a significant increase. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, overseas shipments of sweet potatoes decreased by -14.7% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 237% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato exports expanded slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 120%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for sweet potato exports from Belgium, with a 38% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet potato exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), twofold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands stood at +67.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+18.3% per year) and Germany (+56.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for sweet potato exported from Belgium were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 62% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Luxembourg, Finland, Russia, the UK and Spain, which together accounted for a further 18%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +118.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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

In 2021, the average sweet potato export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight slump. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 Russia (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, after nine years of growth, there was decline in purchases abroad of sweet potatoes, when their volume decreased by -4.2% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 241% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato imports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 145%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest sweet potato supplier to Belgium, accounting for a 76% share of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), more than tenfold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands stood at +56.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+21.0% per year) and Spain (+101.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sweet potatoes to Belgium, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 6% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Netherlands amounted to +49.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+86.7% per year) and the United States (+14.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sweet potato import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 28% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached 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 Germany ($X per ton), while the price for the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+4.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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