EU: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in the EU

For the tenth year in a row, the EU sweet potato market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 5.5% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption saw strong growth. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Sweet Potato Production in the EU

In value terms, sweet potato production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Spain (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of sweet potato production, accounting for 65% of total volume. Moreover, sweet potato production in Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Portugal (X tons), fourfold. Italy (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in Spain totaled +16.5%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Portugal (+3.5% per year) and Italy (+0.5% per year).

The average sweet potato yield totaled X tons per ha in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against 2020. The yield indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% 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 yield increased by +49.2% against 2014 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the yield increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the sweet potato yield hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future. 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 the European Union; remaining constant against 2020. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in the EU

For the tenth year in a row, the European Union recorded growth in overseas shipments of sweet potatoes, which increased by 6.5% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports saw a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, sweet potato exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 45%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) represented the largest exporter of sweet potatoes, comprising 63% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Spain (X tons) and Portugal (X tons), together committing a 25% share of total exports. Belgium (X tons), Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Exports from the Netherlands increased at an average annual rate of +34.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Slovenia (+81.8%), Portugal (+66.7%), Belgium (+31.2%), Spain (+17.6%), Germany (+16.4%) and France (+13.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovenia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +81.8% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia increased by +30, +6.5 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest sweet potato supplier in the European Union, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Portugal, with a 6.8% share.

In the Netherlands, sweet potato exports increased at an average annual rate of +30.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+6.7% per year) and Portugal (+68.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 Germany ($X per ton), while Slovenia ($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 (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in the EU

For the tenth consecutive year, the European Union recorded growth in overseas purchases of sweet potatoes, which increased by 4.6% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports posted a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sweet potato imports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands was the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which accounted for 45% of total imports. France (X tons) held a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Belgium (11%), Germany (11%) and Italy (4.5%). Spain (X tons) and Poland (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sweet potato imports into the Netherlands stood at +23.6%. At the same time, Belgium (+44.1%), Germany (+30.0%), Spain (+29.6%), Poland (+17.3%), France (+16.1%) and Italy (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +44.1% from 2012-2021. Belgium (+8.9 p.p.), the Netherlands (+6.6 p.p.) and Germany (+5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while France and Italy saw its share reduced by -6.1% and -13.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sweet potatoes in the European Union, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Netherlands amounted to +23.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+27.2% per year) and France (+18.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 5.9% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 16%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+13.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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