Spain: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in Spain

In 2021, the Spanish sweet potato market decreased by -0.4% to $X for the first time since 2014, thus ending a six-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, saw a resilient expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Sweet Potato Production in Spain

In value terms, sweet potato production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 90% against the previous year. Sweet potato production peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

The average yield of sweet potatoes in Spain shrank to X tons per ha in 2021, with a decrease of -9.4% compared with the year before. In general, the yield indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the yield increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average sweet potato yield reached the peak level 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, approx. X ha of sweet potatoes were harvested in Spain; surging by 5% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 22% against the previous year. The sweet potato harvested area peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Spain

After seven years of growth, shipments abroad of sweet potatoes decreased by -10.9% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, posted prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 88% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato exports fell to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 37%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for sweet potato exports from Spain, accounting for a 43% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet potato exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), threefold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to France amounted to +18.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+28.1% per year) and Germany (+33.2% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for sweet potatoes exports from Spain, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to France amounted to +19.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+19.8% per year) and the Netherlands (+12.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sweet potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -2.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 17% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 Hungary (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Spain

After seven years of growth, overseas purchases of sweet potatoes decreased by -13.5% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 140% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato imports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 82%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Portugal (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main suppliers of sweet potato imports to Spain, together comprising 63% of total imports. These countries were followed by Argentina, Egypt, France, Morocco, Honduras and the UK, which together accounted for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Argentina (with a CAGR of +1,969.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sweet potato suppliers to Spain were the Netherlands ($X), Portugal ($X) and the United States ($X), together accounting for 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by Argentina, Egypt, France, Honduras, Morocco and the UK, which together accounted for a further 29%.

Argentina, with a CAGR of +1,609.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average sweet potato import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 29% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 UK ($X per ton), while the price for Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+17.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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