Republic of Korea: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Republic of Korea

The South Korean sweet potato market rose notably to $X in 2021, picking up by 6.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Sweet Potato Production in Republic of Korea

In value terms, sweet potato production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 31%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average yield of sweet potatoes in South Korea expanded markedly to X tons per ha, increasing by 5.4% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the average sweet potato yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The sweet potato harvested area in South Korea amounted to X ha in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2020 figures. In general, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the sweet potato harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Republic of Korea

In 2020, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were exported from South Korea; with an increase of 24% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports recorded a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 406%. The exports peaked in 2020 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, sweet potato exports soared to $X in 2020. In general, exports showed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 241% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2020 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Hong Kong SAR (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) were the main destinations of sweet potato exports from South Korea, with a combined 60% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet potato exports in Hong Kong SAR exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest exporter, Singapore, fivefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Singapore (with a CAGR of +80.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for sweet potato exported from South Korea were Hong Kong SAR ($X), Singapore ($X) and the United States ($X), together comprising 60% of total exports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, which together accounted for a further 40%. Moreover, sweet potato exports in Hong Kong SAR exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest exporter, Singapore, fivefold.

Among the main countries of destination, Malaysia, with a CAGR of +76.1%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 less than $X per ton in 2021, waning by 99.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a temperate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 51% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Singapore ($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 (+19.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Republic of Korea

In 2020, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were imported into South Korea; declining by -79.3% on the year before. Overall, imports saw a sharp downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 59% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports contracted dramatically to $X in 2020. Over the period under review, imports showed a precipitous decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 82%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Vietnam (X kg) and Indonesia (X kg) were the main suppliers of sweet potato imports to South Korea.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of -20.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest sweet potato suppliers to South Korea were China ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Vietnam ($X).

Among the main suppliers, Indonesia, with a CAGR of -17.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average sweet potato import price stood at less than $X per ton in 2021, dropping by 99.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 60%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Indonesia ($X per ton), while the price for China ($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 (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :