United Kingdom: Sweet Potato Market 2025

Sweet Potato Market Size in the UK

In 2021, the UK sweet potato market increased by 5.8% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, consumption posted strong growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, shipments abroad of sweet potatoes decreased by -34.1% to X tons, falling for the fifth year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports, however, recorded prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 103% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato exports shrank dramatically to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 121%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for sweet potato exports from the UK, accounting for a 48% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet potato exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Ireland (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X tons), with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands stood at +25.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ireland (+0.6% per year) and Germany (+24.4% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for sweet potatoes exports from the UK, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ireland ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands amounted to +35.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ireland (-0.1% per year) and Germany (+23.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sweet potato export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 24% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 32%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($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 (+8.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were imported into the UK; flattening at the year before. Overall, imports, however, showed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 65%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports amounted to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 44%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest sweet potato supplier to the UK, accounting for a 45% share of total imports. Moreover, sweet potato imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Egypt (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by China (X tons), with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States amounted to +6.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+38.1% per year) and China (+34.4% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sweet potatoes to the UK, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States totaled +6.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+33.1% per year) and China (+29.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sweet potato import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 17%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average 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 Spain ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Honduras (+6.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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