Egypt Leads Sweet Potato Exports to Poland, Expanding Influence in European Markets

In 2023, Egypt solidified its position as the top supplier of sweet potatoes to Poland, exporting 2.8 thousand tons—marking a 33% year-on-year increase. This growth underscores Egypt’s emergence as a key player in the European sweet potato market, with expectations for continued dominance in the coming years

Poland: A Growing Consumer of Sweet Potatoes

Poland, now the 15th largest global importer of sweet potatoes, has rapidly expanded its imports. Since 2019, Poland’s imports of Egyptian sweet potatoes have increased sixfold. Other countries such as the USA and Spain have also supplied sweet potatoes to Poland, with imports from these nations growing by 300% and 90%, respectively, Egypt’s ability to consistently expand its market share demonstrates its growing influence in the European sweet potato trade.

Egypt’s Market Expansion in the EU

Egypt’s success in Poland is reflective of a broader trend across Europe. The country exported 109,000 tons of sweet potatoes to the European Union in 2023, a 45% increase over the previous year. France, Italy, and the Netherlands have been key markets, with France’s imports growing by 70%, and Spain’s by nearly fivefold Egypt is now the third-largest global exporter of sweet potatoes, behind only the USA and the Netherlands.

Key Insights for Producers, Exporters, and Importers

Top Sweet Potato Producers (2024 estimates):

• China: Largest producer globally, primarily for domestic use.
• Nigeria: Second-largest producer, also primarily for local consumption.
• USA: Major global exporter, particularly to Europe and Asia.

Top Sweet Potato Exporters (2024 data):

• Netherlands: Leading global exporter, accounting for 27.47% of global sweet potato exports.
• USA: Close second, with 26.41% of global exports.
• Egypt: Continues to rise, now capturing 19.75% of the export market.

Top Sweet Potato Importers (2024 data):

• Netherlands: Top importer, largely for re-export within Europe.
• United Kingdom: Significant importer due to high demand for sweet potatoes.
• Poland: Rising in the ranks with substantial growth in direct imports from Egypt.

Future Market Outlook for Eastern Europe

The demand for sweet potatoes continues to rise in Eastern Europe, with countries like Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine showing notable increases in consumption. Romania nearly tripled its imports from 2019 to 2023, and Slovakia grew its imports from 500 tons to 7,000 tons over the same period With consumption potential far from reaching its peak, Egypt is well-positioned to capture further market share in this region.

Conclusion

Egypt’s expanding role as a leading exporter of sweet potatoes, particularly to Poland and the broader EU, underscores its growing influence in the global agricultural market. The country’s ability to meet increasing demand across Europe, coupled with rising production levels, is set to keep Egypt at the forefront of this thriving trade.

Best Regards

Mostafa Adel