Global Taro (Cocoyam) Market 2025

Taro (Cocoyam) Market Size

The global taro (cocoyam) market expanded modestly to $X in 2022, growing by 1.6% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Taro (Cocoyam) Production

In value terms, taro (cocoyam) production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Nigeria (X tons), Ethiopia (X tons) and China (X tons), together comprising 58% of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The global average taro (cocoyam) yield amounted to X tons per ha in 2022, approximately equating 2021. In general, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 8.4% against the previous year. The global yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, 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.

In 2022, the global harvested area of taro totaled X ha, approximately mirroring the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 13% against the previous year. The global harvested area peaked at X ha in 2016; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Taro (Cocoyam) Exports

Exports

Global taro (cocoyam) exports fell modestly to X tons in 2022, waning by -4% on 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the global (cocoyam) exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, taro (cocoyam) exports rose modestly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global (cocoyam) exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) represented the main exporter of taro, making up 48% of total exports. Ecuador (X tons) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Costa Rica (7.5%) and Fiji (5.4%). Nicaragua (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), Indonesia (X tons), Myanmar (X tons) and the United States (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to taro (cocoyam) exports from China stood at -1.7%. At the same time, Indonesia (+50.9%), Myanmar (+41.7%), Vietnam (+29.2%), the United States (+18.5%), Costa Rica (+16.6%), Fiji (+8.5%) and Ecuador (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Indonesia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +50.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Nicaragua (-1.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Costa Rica (+5.5 p.p.), Vietnam (+3.8 p.p.), Indonesia (+2.9 p.p.), Fiji (+2.5 p.p.), Myanmar (+2.1 p.p.) and Ecuador (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Nicaragua and China saw its share reduced by -2% and -21.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest taro (cocoyam) supplier worldwide, comprising 50% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ecuador ($X), with a 14% share of global exports. It was followed by Fiji, with a 9.4% share.

In China, taro (cocoyam) exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ecuador (+9.4% per year) and Fiji (+12.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average taro (cocoyam) export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 24%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Fiji ($X per ton), while Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+7.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Taro (Cocoyam) Imports

Imports

In 2022, global imports of taro contracted to X tons, which is down by -6.4% on 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 60%. Over the period under review, global (cocoyam) imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, taro (cocoyam) imports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, (cocoyam) imports increased by +26.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 32%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United States (X tons) represented the key importer of taro, generating 47% of total imports. Japan (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 28% share of total imports. Malaysia (X tons), New Zealand (X tons), Canada (X tons), Australia (X tons), Burundi (X tons) and Singapore (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +39.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Burundi (+185.9%), Malaysia (+14.4%), Canada (+5.0%) and Australia (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burundi emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +185.9% from 2012-2022. Singapore experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-1.5%), New Zealand (-2.1%) and Japan (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United States (+44 p.p.), Malaysia (+1.8 p.p.) and Burundi (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of New Zealand (-4.2 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (-5.7 p.p.) and Japan (-37.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest taro (cocoyam) importing markets worldwide were the United States ($X), Japan ($X) and New Zealand ($X), together comprising 76% of global imports. Australia, Canada, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Burundi lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Burundi, with a CAGR of +188.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average taro (cocoyam) import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 18% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 24%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while Burundi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+5.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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