Philippines: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in the Philippines

The Philippine sweet potato market reduced to $X in 2021, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 5%. Sweet potato consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Sweet Potato Production in the Philippines

In value terms, sweet potato production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; 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.

In 2021, the average sweet potato yield in the Philippines totaled X tons per ha, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the yield increased by 8.9%. The sweet potato yield peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future. 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 Philippines contracted to X ha, waning by -2.6% on the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 0.4%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from the Philippines

In 2021, shipments abroad of sweet potatoes decreased by -95.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 3,638%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato exports shrank markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 2,448%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main destinations of sweet potato exports from the Philippines, together comprising 96% of total exports. These countries were followed by Israel, Kuwait, Australia and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Australia (with a CAGR of +36.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X) remains the key foreign market for sweet potatoes exports from the Philippines, comprising 31% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Hong Kong SAR amounted to +44.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+18.4% per year) and Japan (+43.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sweet potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 102% against the previous year. Overall, the export price posted resilient growth. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($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 the United States (+13.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into the Philippines

In 2020, supplies from abroad of sweet potatoes increased by 3,955% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a mild setback. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato imports soared to $X in 2020. In general, imports saw significant growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Vietnam (X tons) and South Korea (X kg) were the main suppliers of sweet potato imports to the Philippines, with a combined 75% share of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam, threefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +75.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sweet potato suppliers to the Philippines were China ($X), Vietnam ($X) and South Korea ($X), together accounting for 75% of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam, threefold.

Among the main suppliers, China, with a CAGR of +87.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2021, the average sweet potato import price amounted to less than $X per ton, falling by 99.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 225% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 South Korea ($X per ton), while the price for the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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