Uganda: Sweet Potato Market 2024

Sweet Potato Market Size in Uganda

The Ugandan sweet potato market expanded to $X in 2023, surging by X% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a noticeable contraction. Sweet potato consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Production in Uganda

In value terms, sweet potato production rose remarkably to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2023, the average sweet potato yield in Uganda was estimated at X tons per ha, standing approx. at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2016 to 2023, the growth of the average sweet potato yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. 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 Uganda reduced modestly to X ha, falling by X% against 2022. Overall, the harvested area recorded a noticeable slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production reached the maximum at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2023, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Uganda

In 2023, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of sweet potatoes, when their volume decreased by X% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2022, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, sweet potato exports reduced dramatically to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2022, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Qatar (X tons) was the main destination for sweet potato exports from Uganda, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet potato exports to Qatar exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), twofold. Kenya (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to Qatar stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (X% per year) and Kenya (X% per year).

In value terms, Qatar ($X), the UK ($X) and Germany ($X) were the largest markets for sweet potato exported from Uganda worldwide, with a combined X% share of total exports. Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and Kenya lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Kenya, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the average sweet potato export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2022, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kenya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Uganda

In 2023, overseas purchases of sweet potatoes were finally on the rise to reach X kg after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports dropped to $X in 2023. In general, imports, however, faced a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The UK (X kg), Kenya (X kg) and South Africa (X kg) were the main suppliers of sweet potato imports to Uganda, together comprising X% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of X%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Kenya ($X), South Africa ($X) and China ($X) constituted the largest sweet potato suppliers to Uganda, together accounting for X% of total imports. These countries were followed by the UK, which accounted for a further X%.

The UK, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average sweet potato import price stood at $X per ton in 2023, shrinking by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by X% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2023, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform