Middle East: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern sweet potato market contracted notably to $X in 2021, waning by -32.2% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Sweet Potato Production in the Middle East

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 +4.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Israel (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Palestine (X tons), together comprising 96% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Israel (with a CAGR of +7.8%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average sweet potato yield rose remarkably to X tons per ha in 2021, surging by 5.6% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 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, the sweet potato harvested area in the Middle East dropped to X ha, declining by -2.6% against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the sweet potato harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were exported in the Middle East; dropping by -12% on 2020. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 87% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato exports contracted dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 193% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Israel (X tons) was the key exporter of sweet potatoes, committing 72% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), generating a 26% share of total exports. Turkey (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sweet potato exports from Israel stood at -7.1%. At the same time, Oman (+14.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +14.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Turkey (-7.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Israel (+72 p.p.) and Oman (+20 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Israel ($X) remains the largest sweet potato supplier in the Middle East, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with a 13% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Israel stood at -6.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Oman (+2.9% per year) and Turkey (-9.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 73%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 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 Israel ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After five years of growth, supplies from abroad of sweet potatoes decreased by -84.1% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports showed a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 428% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato imports fell sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 94% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of sweet potato imports in 2021 were Lebanon (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Qatar (X tons), together resulting at 87% of total import. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), achieving a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +63.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sweet potato importing markets in the Middle East were Qatar ($X), Oman ($X) and Lebanon ($X), with a combined 89% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Turkey, which accounted for a further 10%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +51.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 2.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a mild decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 149%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Qatar ($X per ton), while Lebanon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+8.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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