SADC: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC sweet potato market decreased by -3.2% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Sweet Potato Production in SADC

In value terms, sweet potato production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +89.2% against 2018 indices. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Malawi (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Angola (X tons), together accounting for 84% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Angola (with a CAGR of +11.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average sweet potato yield shrank to X tons per ha in 2021, falling by -7.3% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.7%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020, and then shrank in the following year. 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 SADC rose to X ha, increasing by 3.8% compared with the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in SADC

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of sweet potatoes decreased by -96.5% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports showed a significant decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 190%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato exports declined notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 178% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

Madagascar (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) dominates exports structure, together comprising 96% of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +206.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest sweet potato supplying countries in SADC were Madagascar ($X), South Africa ($X) and Tanzania ($X), together accounting for 100% of total exports.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +295.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 11% against the previous year. Export price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% 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 +14.1% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 52% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+28.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of sweet potatoes, when their volume decreased by -41.9% to X tons. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato imports declined dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Botswana prevails in imports structure, recording X tons, which was near 95% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), creating a 4.5% share of total imports.

Botswana was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sweet potatoes imports, with a CAGR of +13.8% from 2012 to 2021. South Africa (-1.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Botswana (+66 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Botswana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sweet potatoes in SADC, comprising 99% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 0.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Botswana stood at +10.0%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, declining by -38.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while South Africa stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (-3.3%).

Source: IndexBox Platform