10 World’s Biggest Sweet Potatoes-Producing Countries in 2022
10 World’s Biggest Sweet Potato-Producing Countries– Based on the FAO
Statistical Database in 2024, there are 10 world’s
biggest sweet
potato-producing countries in 2022. Commonly, sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is the favorite
commodity in some regions of the world. This tuberous plant has a sweet taste,
and many people like the sweet taste.
Historically, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea
batatas) are native to the tropical regions of the Americas. Based on
taxonomy, this crop can be classified into Kingdom: Plantae; Order: Solanales;
Family: Convolvulaceae;
Genus: Ipomoea; Species: Ipomoea batatas. Because of the
similarity of solanes order, this plant ultimately has close relation with the
potatoes (S. tuberosum), eggplants (S. melongena), tomatoes (S. Lycopersicon), chili peppers (capsicum), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).
World’s Harvested Areas, Productions, and Productivity of Sweet Potatoes from 1970 to 2022
|
|
|||
|
Years |
World’s
Harvested Areas of Sweet Potatoes |
World
Production of Sweet Potatoes |
Yield
/ Productivity of Sweet Potatoes |
|
|
(Hectares) |
(Tons) |
(Tons/
hectare) |
|
1970 |
11,770,435 |
136,504,518 |
11.60 |
|
1971 |
11,370,288 |
127,249,616 |
11.19 |
|
1972 |
12,071,284 |
121,464,232 |
10.06 |
|
1973 |
12,285,566 |
152,861,969 |
12.44 |
|
1974 |
12,140,790 |
137,260,877 |
11.31 |
|
1975 |
12,027,647 |
141,311,058 |
11.75 |
|
1976 |
11,596,989 |
133,318,711 |
11.50 |
|
1977 |
12,378,938 |
143,104,186 |
11.56 |
|
1978 |
12,739,258 |
151,854,266 |
11.92 |
|
1979 |
11,598,381 |
137,932,147 |
11.89 |
|
1980 |
10,758,478 |
137,865,751 |
12.81 |
|
1981 |
10,100,178 |
125,540,114 |
12.43 |
|
1982 |
9,838,070 |
129,430,385 |
13.16 |
|
1983 |
9,816,894 |
137,942,481 |
14.05 |
|
1984 |
9,290,472 |
133,033,180 |
14.32 |
|
1985 |
8,981,671 |
122,993,662 |
13.69 |
|
1986 |
9,018,611 |
120,948,591 |
13.41 |
|
1987 |
9,128,705 |
133,649,100 |
14.64 |
|
1988 |
9,123,802 |
121,959,563 |
13.37 |
|
1989 |
9,055,021 |
123,716,238 |
13.66 |
|
1990 |
9,172,272 |
122,767,035 |
13.38 |
|
1991 |
9,093,029 |
123,703,954 |
13.60 |
|
1992 |
9,204,282 |
123,233,311 |
13.39 |
|
1993 |
9,188,197 |
131,542,303 |
14.32 |
|
1994 |
8,956,575 |
125,484,814 |
14.01 |
|
1995 |
9,257,752 |
135,995,000 |
14.69 |
|
1996 |
9,272,325 |
141,997,440 |
15.31 |
|
1997 |
9,178,824 |
121,320,673 |
13.22 |
|
1998 |
9,233,507 |
134,820,450 |
14.60 |
|
1999 |
9,749,117 |
147,214,978 |
15.10 |
|
2000 |
9,798,396 |
139,706,811 |
14.26 |
|
2001 |
9,674,985 |
136,129,726 |
14.07 |
|
2002 |
9,416,972 |
136,732,461 |
14.52 |
|
2003 |
9,266,440 |
130,925,757 |
14.13 |
|
2004 |
9,321,600 |
130,713,125 |
14.02 |
|
2005 |
9,004,544 |
127,734,095 |
14.19 |
|
2006 |
8,104,610 |
106,631,204 |
13.16 |
|
2007 |
8,144,291 |
101,183,389 |
12.42 |
|
2008 |
7,794,746 |
103,174,997 |
13.24 |
|
2009 |
7,841,840 |
96,315,642 |
12.28 |
|
2010 |
7,923,113 |
93,771,217 |
11.84 |
|
2011 |
7,853,702 |
94,303,981 |
12.01 |
|
2012 |
7,593,347 |
90,709,322 |
11.95 |
|
2013 |
7,729,322 |
90,170,614 |
11.67 |
|
2014 |
7,858,257 |
93,476,327 |
11.90 |
|
2015 |
7,750,764 |
91,308,417 |
11.78 |
|
2016 |
7,606,849 |
90,249,407 |
11.86 |
|
2017 |
7,660,263 |
92,306,702 |
12.05 |
|
2018 |
7,450,234 |
91,299,491 |
12.25 |
|
2019 |
7,315,770 |
90,747,131 |
12.40 |
|
2020 |
7,373,035 |
88,739,744 |
12.04 |
|
2021 |
7,410,026 |
88,867,913 |
11.99 |
|
2022 |
7,248,381 |
86,410,354 |
11.92 |
|
Source: FAOSTAT, 2024 |
|||
Globally, from 1970 to 2022, the world’s harvested areas of sweet
potatoes have decreased from time to time. In 1970, the world’s areas reached
11 million hectares (ha) and become 7.2 million hectares (ha) in 2022. Based on
production, the world’s production of sweet potatoes is also in the decreasing
trendline. In the year 1970, the world’s production of sweet potatoes reached
136 million tons and has go down to 86 million tons in 2022. Meanwhile, the productivity /
yield is relatively in the range of 11- 15 tons per hectare.
.jpg "The Scientific Name of Sweet Potatoes")
In 2022, the world’s production of sweet potatoes reaches 86 million tons with a recorded cultivating area around 7.2 million hectares (ha). Looking at a statistical database from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2022, some continents became the main area of cultivating Sweet Potatoes.
World’s Production of Sweet Potatoes Based on Continent in 2022
|
Continent |
Production of Sweet Potatoes in 2022 |
|
(Tons) |
|
|
Africa |
29,530,153 |
|
Americas |
3,239,922 |
|
Asia |
52,711,466 |
|
Oceania |
928,814 |
|
Source:
FAOSTAT, 2024 |
|
Continently, in 2022, Asia and Africa still become the major areas
to produce sweet potatoes.
Asia produces 52 million tons, and meanwhile Africa produces 29 million tons.
Furthermore, the Americas has minor production
of sweet potatoes with output around 3.2 million tons and Oceania with output
of production reached 928 thousand tons.
In terms of country statistical data of sweet potatoes, there are
10 world’s biggest sweet potato-producing countries. This data is obtained from
the FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) of the United Nations (UN). Here is the
rank of 10 world’s biggest producers of sweet potato in 2022.
Table Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Sweet Potatoes-Producing Countries in 2022
|
Ranks |
Countries |
Production of Sweet Potatoes in 2022 |
|
(Tons) |
||
|
1 |
China,
mainland |
46,604,009 |
|
2 |
Malawi |
8,051,118 |
|
3 |
United
Republic of Tanzania |
4,259,620 |
|
4 |
Nigeria |
4,011,035 |
|
5 |
Angola |
1,873,002 |
|
6 |
Rwanda |
1,372,745 |
|
7 |
Uganda |
1,337,512 |
|
8 |
India |
1,184,000 |
|
9 |
United
States of America |
1,176,483 |
|
10 |
Madagascar |
1,132,742 |
|
Source:
FAOSTAT, 2024 |
||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Sweet Potatoes-Producing Countries in 2022
1. China, mainland
China still becomes
the world’s largest sweet potato-producing
country in 2022. The production of sweet potatoes in 2022 reaches 46.6 million
tons. Historically, sweet potato was introduced to China under the Ming dynasty
but there are dubious opinions around this issue. Looking at the geographical aspect, the main regions of sweet potato cultivation in China are in Sichuan and Shandong. Genetically, China has some popular
cultivars/varieties of sweet potatoes. some varieties of China’s sweet potato are Shadi 601, Shadi Watermelon Red, and the Shadi Purple Guijing No. 8.
2. Malawi
Malawi is the 2nd world’s biggest sweet
potatoes-producing country in 2022. The production of sweet potatoes in 2022
reaches 8.05 million tons. In this country, sweet potato is the second most
important tuberous crop after cassava with more than 330 thousand hectares (ha)
of sweet potato’s harvested area. Nowadays, Malawi with the help of the
International Potato Centre (CIP) introduces Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes – the potato plant with high yielding
and rich content of Vitamin A. With this enriched sweet potato, hopefully, it
can help the malnutrition problems of this country.
3. The United Republic of Tanzania
Tanzania becomes the 3rd world’s biggest sweet
potatoes-producing country. In 2022, the production of sweet potatoes reaches
4.2 million tons. Geographically, the Lake
and Eastern Zone is the main cultivating area of sweet potato besides
the southern highlands and Northern zone of Tanzania. In
terms of genetic conditions and performance of sweet potato, there are some
cultivars of sweet potatoes grown in Tanzania, namely Suguti, Songea Simama,
Tulwawima, Mayai, Mwezigumo, Karoti, Sinia, Kinahaha, Kandoro (Kapinga et al., 2000).
4. Nigeria
Nigeria is the 4th world’s biggest sweet
potatoes-producing country in 2022. Statistically, the production of sweet
potatoes in 2022 reaches 4 million tons. Geographically, the main growing area
of sweet potato in this country is in several states. Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, and Sokoto in the
North-west are currently leading in sweet potato production in the country. Genetically, Nigeria has released
white-fleshed variety and orange-fleshed sweet
potatoes. Basically, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes have a higher content of
vitamin A. In addition, this country also developed purple-fleshed sweet potatoes- the sweet potatoes with high anthocyanins.
5. Angola
Angola is the next 5th world’s biggest, sweet
potatoes-Producing Country with the productions of sweet potatoes in 2022
reaches 1.8 million tons. In this country, sweet potatoes have become one of
the most important crops besides maize and cassava.
6. Rwanda
Rwanda is the 6th world’s biggest country producer of
sweet potatoes.
Statistically, in 2022, the production of sweet potatoes from Rwanda reached
1,372,745 tons. Historically, cassava was introduced from Rwanda in the early 18th century,
and it has been grown extensively throughout this country. The sweet
potato is usually planted and harvested
throughout the year, and it is cultivated mostly by the farmers in the region
of Butare, Gikongoro, Gitarama, Kigali and Lake Kivu border of Rwanda. In terms
of genetic conditions, some of the cultivars of sweet potato in Rwanda are
yellow variety (Kwizekumwe, 440170), white variety (Mugande and 4160) (Rose and
Vasanthakaalam, 2011).
7. Uganda
Uganda is the 7th world’s biggest sweet
potatoes-producing country. In the year 2022, the production of sweet potatoes
reaches 1.33 million tons. Genetically, some of the cultivars planted in Uganda
are Tanzania, Tororo 3, New kawogo, and Kakamega. Based on the geographical
statistics, there are some regions in Uganda as the main area of sweet potato
cultivation. These areas are Apac,
Mbale, Kabale, Gulu, Iganga, Mpigi, Luwero, Kabarole, and Arua.
8. India
India is the 8th world’s largest country producer of sweet
potatoes. Statistically, in 2022, the production of sweet potatoes from India
reached 1,184,000 tons.
Geographically, there are some states as main growing areas of sweet potatoes
including Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. In terms of genetic conditions, there are some cultivars of sweet potatoes
cultivated in India, namely Varsha, Konkan Ashwini, Sree Arun, and Sree Kanaka.
9. United States of America
United States of America (USA) is the 9th world’s
largest sweet potatoes-producing country with production reach 1.1 million
tons. Geographically, in The United States of America (USA) there are some
regions of the main area of sweet potato cultivation. These states are North
Carolina, California, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Of all the states, North Carolina has the biggest
production based on tonnage in the United States of America (USA). In addition,
some of the most popular sweet potato cultivars planted in the USA are
Beauregard, jewel, and the garnet.
10. Madagascar
Madagascar is the 10th world’s largest sweet
potatoes-producing country in 2022. Besides paddy and cassava, sweet potato
also becomes an important food crop. In the year 2022, the production of sweet
potatoes reaches 1.13 million tons. Geographically, the central highlands is an
area which has relatively high sweet potato production.
The Table Rank Summary of 10 World’s Biggest Sweet Potato-Producing Countries in 2022
The Histogram of 10 World’s Biggest Sweet Potato-Producing Countries in 2022
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Sweet
Potato-Producing Countries in 2022
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