MERCOSUR: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR sweet potato market totaled $X in 2021, approximately reflecting the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Sweet Potato Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, sweet potato production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Brazil (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of sweet potato production, comprising approx. 51% of total volume. Moreover, sweet potato production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Argentina (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Peru (X tons), with a 17% share.

In Brazil, sweet potato production increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Argentina (+0.2% per year) and Peru (-1.2% per year).

In 2021, the average yield of sweet potatoes in MERCOSUR shrank slightly to X tons per ha, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 3.1%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. 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 MERCOSUR; increasing by 1.7% compared with the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 5.8% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, overseas shipments of sweet potatoes decreased by -14.9% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, showed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 329%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato exports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 128%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Peru represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which resulted at 65% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), generating a 33% share of total exports. Argentina (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Argentina (with a CAGR of +29.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sweet potato supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Brazil ($X), Peru ($X) and Argentina ($X), together comprising 99% of total exports.

Argentina, with a CAGR of +19.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 24% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 63%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a 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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were imported in MERCOSUR; reducing by -28.3% compared with the previous year. In general, imports, however, saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 629% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports reduced sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 833%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Chile represented the largest importer of sweet potatoes in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 54% of total imports in 2021. Paraguay (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 22% share, followed by Ecuador (18%) and Argentina (6.8%).

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sweet potato imports into Chile stood at +26.5%. At the same time, Ecuador (+116.9%), Paraguay (+56.1%) and Argentina (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ecuador emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +116.9% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Paraguay, Ecuador and Chile increased by +19, +18 and +13 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sweet potatoes in MERCOSUR, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Paraguay ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 19% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Chile totaled +18.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Paraguay (+52.2% per year) and Argentina (+14.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -18.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 33%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 Argentina ($X per ton), while Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+8.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform