MERCOSUR: Sweet Potato Market 2024

Sweet Potato Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR sweet potato market amounted to $X in 2023, with an increase 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 in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021; afterwards, it flattened through to 2023.

Sweet Potato Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, sweet potato production rose sharply to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. The total production indicated moderate growth 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, production decreased by X% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Brazil (X tons) remains the largest sweet potato producing country in MERCOSUR, comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, sweet potato production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Peru (X tons), threefold. Argentina (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume in Brazil stood at X%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Peru (X% per year) and Argentina (X% per year).

In 2023, the average sweet potato yield in MERCOSUR stood at X tons per ha, standing approx. at the year before. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the yield increased by X%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the sweet potato yield failed to regain momentum. 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 MERCOSUR amounted to X ha, almost unchanged from the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2023, overseas shipments of sweet potatoes increased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports showed resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato exports expanded sharply to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, exports showed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by X%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) and Peru (X tons) dominates exports structure, together generating X% of total exports. Argentina (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

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

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Peru ($X) and Argentina ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2023, together accounting for X% of total exports.

Argentina, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2023, which is down by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by X%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Argentina ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (X%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2023, approx. X tons of sweet potatoes were imported in MERCOSUR; with an increase of X% on the previous year. Overall, imports showed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato imports surged to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, imports showed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Argentina (X tons) and Chile (X tons) represented roughly X% of total imports in 2023. It was distantly followed by Paraguay (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons), together committing a X% share of total imports.

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

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sweet potatoes in MERCOSUR, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uruguay ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Chile, with a X% share.

In Argentina, sweet potato imports increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Uruguay (X% per year) and Chile (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Uruguay ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform