Ghana: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Ghana

The Ghanian sweet potato market was estimated at $X in 2021, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the market value increased by 4.2%. Sweet potato consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sweet Potato Production in Ghana

In value terms, sweet potato production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +79.3% against 2019 indices. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In 2021, the average sweet potato yield in Ghana shrank to X tons per ha, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 2.9%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021. 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 Ghana; remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production reached the maximum at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Ghana

In 2019, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of sweet potatoes, when their volume decreased by -87.5% to X tons. In general, exports, however, recorded a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018, and then plummeted in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato exports declined significantly to $X in 2019. Overall, exports saw a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 59% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then fell markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons), Canada (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of sweet potato exports from Ghana, with a combined 38% share of total exports. These countries were followed by South Africa, the Netherlands, Russia, France and the UK, which together accounted for a further 63%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +39.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for sweet potato exported from Ghana were Canada ($X), Italy ($X) and the United States ($X), together comprising 38% of total exports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, South Africa, Russia, France and the UK, which together accounted for a further 63%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +70.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average sweet potato export price stood at less than $X per ton in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 16%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France (+22.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Ghana

In 2019, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of sweet potatoes, when their volume increased by 1,159% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports recorded a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 13,516%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2019, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports soared to $X in 2019. Overall, imports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 10,018%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2019, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Egypt (X tons), Togo (X tons) and Spain (X kg) were the main suppliers of sweet potato imports to Ghana, with a combined 75% share of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports in Egypt exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Togo, more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +107.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X), Spain ($X) and Belgium ($X) were the largest sweet potato suppliers to Ghana, together accounting for 75% of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports in Egypt exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain, fourfold.

Among the main suppliers, Egypt, with a CAGR of +108.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average sweet potato import price stood at less than $X per ton in 2021, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 423%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the price for Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+34.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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