Italy: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Italy

The Italian sweet potato market expanded markedly to $X in 2021, rising by 14% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed buoyant growth. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Production in Italy

In value terms, sweet potato production contracted modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% 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 decreased by -32.0% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Sweet potato production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the average yield of sweet potatoes in Italy amounted to X tons per ha, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the yield, however, showed a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the yield increased by 1.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average sweet potato yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The sweet potato harvested area in Italy dropped slightly to X ha in 2021, remaining constant against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The sweet potato harvested area peaked at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2021, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were exported from Italy; increasing by 18% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 117%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato exports shrank to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 113%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Poland (X tons) was the main destination for sweet potato exports from Italy, accounting for a 27% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet potato exports to Poland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), twofold. Austria (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Poland was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-20.5% per year) and Austria (+10.2% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for sweet potatoes exports from Italy, comprising 24% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Slovenia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Malta, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Germany amounted to -9.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Slovenia (+5.8% per year) and Malta (-0.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sweet potato export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -19.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, posted noticeable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 93%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Slovakia ($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 Malta (+19.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2021, overseas purchases of sweet potatoes increased by 26% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after three years of decline. In general, imports recorded perceptible growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sweet potato imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 87% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of sweet potato to Italy, accounting for a 60% share of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Egypt (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from France stood at +2.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+7.3% per year) and Egypt (+125.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest sweet potato suppliers to Italy were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Egypt ($X), with a combined 70% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Egypt, with a CAGR of +117.4%, 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 $X per ton in 2021, falling by -2.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average import price increased by 58%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+17.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :