Portugal: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Portugal

In 2021, the Portuguese sweet potato market was finally on the rise to reach $X after six years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a abrupt slump. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Production in Portugal

In value terms, sweet potato production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -40.3% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 68%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of sweet potatoes in Portugal rose markedly to X tons per ha in 2021, surging by 14% on the year before. Over the period under review, the yield indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sweet potato yield increased by +84.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the yield increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average sweet potato yield attained the maximum level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come. 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 Portugal dropped to X ha, which is down by -11.6% on the previous year. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the sweet potato harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Portugal

In 2021, after nine years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of sweet potatoes, when their volume decreased by -5.7% to X tons. In general, exports, however, posted a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 689%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 671%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Spain (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of sweet potato exports from Portugal, with a combined 74% share of total exports. Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +237.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for sweet potato exported from Portugal were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Spain ($X), with a combined 71% share of total exports. Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Belgium, with a CAGR of +222.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average sweet potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sweet potato export price increased by +70.1% against 2017 indices. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Czech Republic ($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 Spain (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Portugal

In 2021, the amount of sweet potatoes imported into Portugal skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by 40% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports showed a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 143% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, sweet potato imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 169% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest sweet potato supplier to Portugal, with a 76% share of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Brazil (X tons), more than tenfold. France (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Spain totaled +25.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+39.5% per year) and France (+26.7% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sweet potatoes to Portugal, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 9.6% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Spain stood at +23.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+17.8% per year) and France (+26.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average sweet potato import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 217% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guinea-Bissau (+48.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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