South Africa: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African sweet potato market increased by 14% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Sweet potato consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Sweet Potato Production in South Africa

In value terms, sweet potato production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 41%. Sweet potato production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the average yield of sweet potatoes in South Africa dropped modestly to X tons per ha, flattening at the year before. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with a decrease of -0.4% against the previous year. 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.

The sweet potato harvested area in South Africa expanded markedly to X ha in 2021, with an increase of 5.3% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the total harvested area indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sweet potato harvested area decreased by -0.7% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production reached the maximum at X ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from South Africa

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of sweet potatoes decreased by -98.5% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a significant decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 243%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato exports fell remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a dramatic contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 202%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main destinations of sweet potato exports from South Africa.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +37.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for sweet potato exported from South Africa were the Netherlands ($X), the UK ($X) and Botswana ($X).

Among the main countries of destination, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +44.0%, 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

In 2021, the average sweet potato export price amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sweet potato export price increased by +1.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 51% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Namibia ($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 Netherlands (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, the amount of sweet potatoes imported into South Africa contracted markedly to X tons, waning by -87.8% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports saw a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 1,291%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato imports reduced markedly to $X in 2021. In general, imports faced a sharp contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 111% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Malawi (X tons) was the main sweet potato supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 2,489% share of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports from Malawi exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Kenya (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Malawi totaled +196.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kenya (0.0% per year) and Namibia (-57.9% per year).

In value terms, Malawi ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sweet potatoes to South Africa, comprising 1,520% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with a 66% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Malawi totaled +173.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Namibia (-65.3% per year) and Kenya (0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sweet potato import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -66.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price faced a sharp slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 233%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (-1.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :