New Zealand: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in New Zealand

The New Zealand sweet potato market expanded to $X in 2021, growing by 1.5% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, showed a slight decline. Sweet potato consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Production in New Zealand

In value terms, sweet potato production rose notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average yield of sweet potatoes in New Zealand stood at X tons per ha, approximately mirroring the year before. In general, the yield, however, recorded a mild decline. The sweet potato yield peaked 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.

In 2021, the harvested area of sweet potatoes in New Zealand declined to X ha, stabilizing at 2020 figures. Overall, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from New Zealand

For the third year in a row, New Zealand recorded growth in overseas shipments of sweet potatoes, which increased by 59% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 175% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, sweet potato exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports enjoyed a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 243% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Hong Kong SAR (X tons) was the main destination for sweet potato exports from New Zealand, accounting for a 85% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet potato exports to Hong Kong SAR exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, French Polynesia (X tons), more than tenfold. New Caledonia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Hong Kong SAR stood at +93.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: French Polynesia (+34.0% per year) and New Caledonia (+69.0% per year).

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X) remains the key foreign market for sweet potatoes exports from New Zealand, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by French Polynesia ($X), with a 7.2% share of total exports. It was followed by New Caledonia, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Hong Kong SAR totaled +84.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: French Polynesia (+29.5% per year) and New Caledonia (+63.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sweet potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -28.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 108% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to New Caledonia ($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 Australia (+13.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into New Zealand

In 2021, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were imported into New Zealand; increasing by 19% against 2020 figures. In general, imports posted a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 118% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 78% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), China (X tons) and Australia (X tons) were the main suppliers of sweet potato imports to New Zealand, with a combined 85% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Australia (with a CAGR of +166.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sweet potato suppliers to New Zealand were the United States ($X), China ($X) and Australia ($X), with a combined 91% share of total imports.

Australia, with a CAGR of +181.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers 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, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 35%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+5.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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