May 5, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Africa – Sweet Potato – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
Driven by growing demand, the sweet potato market in Africa is projected to see steady growth over the next decade. With an anticipated increase in volume and value, the market is forecasted to reach 36M tons and $60.4B respectively by 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for sweet potatoes in Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 36M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $60.4B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
Africa’s Consumption of Sweet Potatoes
After five years of growth, consumption of sweet potatoes decreased by -2.5% to 30M tons in 2024. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 8%. Over the period under review, consumption attained the peak volume at 31M tons in 2023, and then shrank in the following year.
The revenue of the sweet potato market in Africa reduced slightly to $48.9B in 2024, almost unchanged from the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $49.1B in 2023, and then fell modestly in the following year.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Malawi (7.8M tons), Tanzania (4.4M tons) and Nigeria (4.1M tons), with a combined 54% share of total consumption.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Malawi (with a CAGR of +6.4%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest sweet potato markets in Africa were Malawi ($15.1B), Tanzania ($8.5B) and Nigeria ($8.3B), together comprising 65% of the total market.
Among the main consuming countries, Malawi, with a CAGR of +6.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In 2024, the highest levels of sweet potato per capita consumption was registered in Malawi (365 kg per person), followed by Rwanda (94 kg per person), Burundi (78 kg per person) and Tanzania (66 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of sweet potato was estimated at 21 kg per person.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the sweet potato per capita consumption in Malawi stood at +3.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Rwanda (-0.5% per year) and Burundi (-1.1% per year).
Production
Africa’s Production of Sweet Potatoes
After five years of growth, production of sweet potatoes decreased by -2.5% to 30M tons in 2024. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 8.1%. The volume of production peaked at 31M tons in 2023, and then contracted slightly in the following year. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a noticeable increase of the harvested area and a mild expansion in yield figures.
In value terms, sweet potato production amounted to $48.9B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 11% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $49B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Malawi (7.8M tons), Tanzania (4.4M tons) and Nigeria (4.1M tons), together accounting for 53% of total production.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Malawi (with a CAGR of +6.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Yield
In 2024, the average sweet potato yield in Africa dropped modestly to 7.1 tons per ha, approximately mirroring 2023. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2013 to 2024; 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 9.4% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at 7.1 tons per ha in 2023, and then shrank in the following year.
Harvested Area
In 2024, approx. 4.3M ha of sweet potatoes were harvested in Africa; which is down by -1.6% on the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 5.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production attained the peak figure at 4.4M ha in 2023, and then declined in the following year.
Imports
Africa’s Imports of Sweet Potatoes
In 2024, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of sweet potatoes, when their volume increased by 11% to 8.5K tons. Over the period under review, imports saw a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 72%. The volume of import peaked at 10K tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, sweet potato imports soared to $3.4M in 2024. Total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +74.6% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 32%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2024 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Mauritania (3.4K tons) was the major importer of sweet potatoes, constituting 39% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Togo (1,294 tons), Botswana (1,045 tons), South Africa (659 tons) and Namibia (528 tons), together making up a 41% share of total imports. The following importers – South Sudan (372 tons) and Nigeria (251 tons) – together made up 7.3% of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to sweet potato imports into Mauritania stood at +26.0%. At the same time, South Sudan (+107.7%), Togo (+91.6%), Nigeria (+43.7%), South Africa (+23.7%) and Botswana (+6.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Sudan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +107.7% from 2013-2024. By contrast, Namibia (-4.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of Mauritania, Togo, South Africa, South Sudan and Nigeria increased by +30, +15, +5.4, +4.3 and +2.8 percentage points, respectively.
In value terms, the largest sweet potato importing markets in Africa were Nigeria ($853K), Botswana ($552K) and Mauritania ($530K), with a combined 57% share of total imports. Namibia, Togo, South Sudan and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.
Among the main importing countries, Togo, with a CAGR of +134.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 $396 per ton in 2024, rising by 19% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the import price increased by 48%. The level of import peaked at $673 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($3,399 per ton), while South Africa ($111 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+22.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
Africa’s Exports of Sweet Potatoes
For the fourth consecutive year, Africa recorded growth in shipments abroad of sweet potatoes, which increased by 12% to 133K tons in 2024. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 79% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.
In value terms, sweet potato exports skyrocketed to $165M in 2024. Overall, exports continue to indicate a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 82%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.
Exports By Country
Egypt prevails in exports structure, finishing at 120K tons, which was approx. 90% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by South Africa (8.4K tons), constituting a 6.3% share of total exports.
Exports from Egypt increased at an average annual rate of +11.5% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, South Africa (+14.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Africa emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +14.1% from 2013-2024. Egypt (+3.8 p.p.) and South Africa (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, Egypt ($151M) remains the largest sweet potato supplier in Africa, comprising 92% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($11M), with a 6.5% share of total exports.
In Egypt, sweet potato exports increased at an average annual rate of +27.3% over the period from 2013-2024.
Export Prices By Country
The export price in Africa stood at $1,240 per ton in 2024, with an increase of 7.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 198% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.
Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($1,270 per ton), while Egypt stood at $1,256 per ton.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+14.2%).
