Africa: Sweet Potato Market 2024

Sweet Potato Market Size in Africa

The African sweet potato market declined modestly to $X in 2023, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X%. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2023, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Production in Africa

In value terms, sweet potato production contracted modestly to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2023 were Malawi (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons), together accounting for X% of total production. Angola, Rwanda, Uganda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Burundi, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

From 2012 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Angola (with a CAGR of X%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2023, the average sweet potato yield in Africa shrank slightly to X tons per ha, leveling off at 2022 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the sweet potato yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2022, and then dropped modestly 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 2023, approx. X ha of sweet potatoes were harvested in Africa; approximately mirroring 2022 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by X% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2023, exports of sweet potatoes in Africa skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by X% on 2022. Overall, exports showed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sweet potato exports soared to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, exports recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of X%. The level of export peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Egypt dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. X% of total exports in 2023. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), constituting a X% share of total exports.

Egypt was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sweet potatoes exports, with a CAGR of X% from 2012 to 2023. At the same time, South Africa (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Egypt (X p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest sweet potato supplier in Africa, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a X% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Egypt stood at X%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2023, picking up by X% against the previous year. Export price indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, sweet potato export price increased by X% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by X%. The level of export peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while South Africa totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (X%).

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2023, the amount of sweet potatoes imported in Africa surged to X tons, rising by X% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of X%. The volume of import peaked in 2023 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sweet potato imports soared to $X in 2023. Total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports increased by X% against 2021 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Mauritania represented the largest importer of sweet potatoes in Africa, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. X% of total imports in 2023. Togo (X tons) held a X% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Botswana (X%) and South Africa (X%). Namibia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2023, average annual rates of growth with regard to sweet potato imports into Mauritania stood at X%. At the same time, Togo (X%), South Africa (X%) and Botswana (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2023. Namibia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Mauritania (X p.p.), Togo (X p.p.) and South Africa (X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Botswana and Namibia saw its share reduced by X% and X% from 2012 to 2023, respectively.

In value terms, the largest sweet potato importing markets in Africa were Botswana ($X), Mauritania ($X) and Namibia ($X), together comprising X% of total imports. Togo and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

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

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, 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 Namibia ($X per ton), while Mauritania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (X%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform