Europe: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Europe

For the tenth year in a row, the Europe sweet potato market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 5.4% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption showed resilient growth. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Sweet Potato Production in Europe

In value terms, sweet potato production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw 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 reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

The country with the largest volume of sweet potato production was Spain (X tons), comprising approx. 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 6.9% share.

In Spain, sweet potato production expanded at an average annual rate of +16.5% over the period from 2012-2021. 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 constant against 2020. The yield indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sweet potato yield increased by +49.4% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the sweet potato yield reached the maximum level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of sweet potatoes production in Europe amounted to X ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period 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 when the harvested area increased by 30%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production reached the maximum in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in Europe

For the tenth year in a row, Europe recorded growth in shipments abroad of sweet potatoes, which increased by 4.8% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 42%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sweet potato exports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, exports posted a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 39%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands represented the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 62% of total exports. Spain (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 18% share, followed by Portugal (6.9%). The following exporters - Belgium (X tons), the UK (X tons), Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) - together made up 9.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sweet potato exports from the Netherlands stood at +34.3%. At the same time, Portugal (+66.7%), Belgium (+31.2%), Spain (+17.6%), Germany (+16.4%), France (+13.1%) and the UK (+9.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Portugal emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +66.7% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium increased by +33, +6.4 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest sweet potato supplier in Europe, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Portugal, with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands amounted to +30.7%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+6.7% per year) and Portugal (+68.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 4.4%. 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 failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in Europe

For the tenth consecutive year, Europe recorded growth in overseas purchases of sweet potatoes, which increased by 3.4% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports posted a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sweet potato imports rose sharply to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the key importers of sweet potatoes in 2021, resulting at near 32% and 27% of total imports, respectively. France (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Belgium (X tons) and Germany (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 24% share of total imports. The following importers - Italy (X tons) and Spain (X tons) - together made up 5.4% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +44.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), the UK ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 63% share of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Belgium, Spain and Italy, which together accounted for a further 21%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +39.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 5.3% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 19%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Germany ($X per ton), while Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform