Africa: Sweet Potato Market 2024

Sweet Potato Market Size in Africa

The African sweet potato market fell to $X in 2023, with a decrease of X% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sweet Potato Production in Africa

In value terms, sweet potato production contracted slightly 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 most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by X%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum.

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 comprising a further X%.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Angola (with a CAGR of X%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average sweet potato yield fell modestly to X tons per ha in 2023, remaining constant against the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the sweet potato yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2022, and then contracted 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, the total area harvested in terms of sweet potatoes production in Africa reduced to X ha, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in Africa

For the third year in a row, Africa recorded growth in overseas shipments of sweet potatoes, which increased by X% to X tons in 2023. Over the period under review, exports showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by X%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sweet potato exports skyrocketed to $X in 2023. In general, exports continue to indicate significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Egypt dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. X% of total exports in 2023. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), mixing up 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 growth rate of value in Egypt stood at X%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by X% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of X%. The level of export peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while South Africa stood at $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, imports of sweet potatoes in Africa soared to X tons, picking up by X% compared with 2022. Overall, imports showed a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2023 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, sweet potato imports soared to $X in 2023. Total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven-year period. 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 most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of X%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2023, Mauritania (X tons) represented the major importer of sweet potatoes, making up X% of total imports. Togo (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Botswana (X tons) and South Africa (X tons). All these countries together took approx. X% share of total imports. Namibia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Mauritania increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023. 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. While the share of Mauritania (X p.p.), Togo (X p.p.) and South Africa (X p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2023, the share of Botswana (X p.p.) and Namibia (X p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Botswana ($X), Mauritania ($X) and Namibia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, with a combined X% share of total imports. Togo and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Among the main importing countries, Togo, with a CAGR of X%, recorded 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

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2023, falling by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, 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