Eastern Asia: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2021, the East 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, showed a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 3.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, sweet potato production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 5% against the previous year. 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 96% of total volume.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to -1.9%.

The average sweet potato yield expanded sharply to X tons per ha in 2021, with an increase of 6.5% on the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. 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, approx. X ha of sweet potatoes were harvested in Eastern Asia; with a decrease of -3.5% on 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 2.9%. 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 Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of sweet potatoes were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a mild expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 107% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato exports dropped to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 113%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China was the largest exporter of sweet potatoes in Eastern Asia, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 79% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Japan (X tons), achieving a 19% share of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of sweet potatoes. At the same time, Japan (+28.6%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+10.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Japan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +28.6% from 2012-2021. Japan (+16 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while China saw its share reduced by -17.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Japan ($X), China ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 99% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Japan, with a CAGR of +29.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -5.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+8.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, the amount of sweet potatoes imported in Eastern Asia amounted to X tons, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 12%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports amounted to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +32.0% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 28%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Japan (X tons) represented the largest importer of sweet potatoes, generating 54% of total imports. Hong Kong SAR (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 34% share, followed by Macao SAR (7.1%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (4.5%).

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key 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, Hong Kong SAR ($X), Japan ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 96% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +31.4%, saw 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 Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 1.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% 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 import price decreased by -3.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Macao SAR (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :