Sweet potatoes production in China
In 2024 China produced 51.4 million t of sweet potatoes, the largest total in the world (56.5% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 7.9%. The record was 131 million t in 1973. Area harvested: 2.3 million ha, yield 22.2 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 51.4 million t
- World rank
- 1 of 111
- 10-year change
- −7.9%
- Record
- 131 million t
- 1973
Sweet potatoes in China, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 56.5%
- 59.5% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 22.2
- world 12.6 (+76%)
- kg per person
- 36.2
- world 11.1
- 10-year change
- −7.9%
- world −3.1%
Position in the world ranking
Map of world production of sweet potatoes
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 51,354,274 | −0.1% | 2,312,490 | 22.21 |
| 2023 | 51,400,818 | +0.6% | 2,313,951 | 22.21 |
| 2022 | 51,091,239 | −0.9% | 2,303,505 | 22.18 |
| 2021 | 51,570,766 | +0.1% | 2,320,014 | 22.23 |
| 2020 | 51,540,449 | +2.7% | 2,318,333 | 22.23 |
| 2019 | 50,162,503 | −5.4% | 2,272,168 | 22.08 |
| 2018 | 53,009,345 | +3.0% | 2,369,542 | 22.37 |
| 2017 | 51,449,500 | +0.1% | 2,313,290 | 22.24 |
| 2016 | 51,387,500 | −5.2% | 2,438,740 | 21.07 |
| 2015 | 54,201,000 | −2.8% | 2,519,190 | 21.52 |
| 2014 | 55,782,500 | −2.0% | 2,634,060 | 21.18 |
| 2013 | 56,893,000 | −4.8% | 2,701,340 | 21.06 |
| 2012 | 59,789,500 | −7.5% | 2,789,930 | 21.43 |
| 2011 | 64,642,000 | −1.5% | 2,986,550 | 21.64 |
| 2010 | 65,604,500 | −6.0% | 3,135,220 | 20.93 |
| 2009 | 69,811,500 | −11% | 3,242,360 | 21.53 |
| 2008 | 78,230,000 | +3.5% | 3,763,400 | 20.79 |
| 2007 | 75,600,000 | −6.7% | 3,651,800 | 20.70 |
| 2006 | 81,039,000 | −21% | 3,663,000 | 22.12 |
| 2005 | 102,535,000 | −3.0% | 4,622,100 | 22.18 |
| 2004 | 105,660,000 | −1.8% | 4,860,100 | 21.74 |
| 2003 | 107,555,000 | −4.9% | 5,180,000 | 20.76 |
| 2002 | 113,110,000 | −0.4% | 5,214,200 | 21.69 |
| 2001 | 113,591,000 | −3.7% | 5,498,000 | 20.66 |
| 2000 | 117,985,000 | −6.3% | 5,815,080 | 20.29 |
| 1999 | 125,925,000 | +9.1% | 5,936,000 | 21.21 |
| 1998 | 115,451,000 | +13% | 5,939,140 | 19.44 |
| 1997 | 102,407,504 | −17% | 5,962,930 | 17.17 |
| 1996 | 123,760,000 | +5.6% | 6,060,180 | 20.42 |
| 1995 | 117,180,000 | +9.0% | 6,085,000 | 19.26 |
| 1994 | 107,470,000 | −5.0% | 6,062,600 | 17.73 |
| 1993 | 113,150,000 | +8.3% | 6,220,000 | 18.19 |
| 1992 | 104,433,000 | −0.9% | 6,250,200 | 16.71 |
| 1991 | 105,395,008 | +0.7% | 6,199,400 | 17.00 |
| 1990 | 104,700,000 | −0.7% | 6,293,000 | 16.64 |
| 1989 | 105,445,008 | +2.2% | 6,274,000 | 16.81 |
| 1988 | 103,205,008 | −9.8% | 6,306,000 | 16.37 |
| 1987 | 114,440,000 | +13% | 6,279,000 | 18.23 |
| 1986 | 101,685,008 | −1.7% | 6,185,000 | 16.44 |
| 1985 | 103,430,000 | −9.4% | 6,094,000 | 16.97 |
| 1984 | 114,181,008 | −3.6% | 6,570,000 | 17.38 |
| 1983 | 118,460,000 | +8.1% | 6,950,000 | 17.04 |
| 1982 | 109,550,000 | +4.2% | 7,000,000 | 15.65 |
| 1981 | 105,180,000 | −11% | 7,210,000 | 14.59 |
| 1980 | 117,790,000 | +0.9% | 7,843,000 | 15.02 |
| 1979 | 116,686,000 | −10% | 8,641,000 | 13.50 |
| 1978 | 130,134,000 | +7.0% | 9,544,000 | 13.64 |
| 1977 | 121,650,000 | +9.9% | 9,200,000 | 13.22 |
| 1976 | 110,700,000 | −6.6% | 8,355,000 | 13.25 |
| 1975 | 118,500,000 | +2.9% | 8,858,000 | 13.38 |
| 1974 | 115,200,000 | −12% | 9,058,000 | 12.72 |
| 1973 | 130,800,000 | +32% | 9,295,000 | 14.07 |
| 1972 | 99,100,000 | −4.4% | 9,030,000 | 10.97 |
| 1971 | 103,650,000 | −7.4% | 8,294,000 | 12.50 |
| 1970 | 111,900,000 | +10% | 8,707,000 | 12.85 |
| 1969 | 101,300,000 | +8.2% | 8,536,000 | 11.87 |
| 1968 | 93,650,000 | −0.6% | 8,297,000 | 11.29 |
| 1967 | 94,250,000 | −0.5% | 8,705,000 | 10.83 |
| 1966 | 94,750,000 | +14% | 9,635,000 | 9.83 |
| 1965 | 83,300,000 | +25% | 9,006,000 | 9.25 |
| 1964 | 66,500,000 | −9.6% | 9,645,000 | 6.89 |
| 1963 | 73,600,000 | −8.0% | 9,030,000 | 8.15 |
| 1962 | 80,000,000 | +8.1% | 10,658,000 | 7.51 |
| 1961 | 74,020,000 | — | 10,614,000 | 6.97 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 35,674 t USD 20.3 m
- Exporter rank
- 4 of 97
- Imports
- 10,429 t USD 5.2 m
- Importer rank
- 15 of 143
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of sweet potatoes in China?
China produced 51.4 million t in 2024, 56.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world for production of sweet potatoes?
China was the world’s largest producer in 2024, ahead of Malawi.
How has the production of sweet potatoes in China changed?
It fell by 7.9% between 2014 and 2024, compared with −3.1% for the world. The record was 131 million t in 1973.
What is the yield of sweet potatoes in China?
22.2 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (51.4 million t from 2.3 million ha), against a world average of 12.6 t/ha.
Does China export or import sweet potatoes?
In 2024 China reported exports of 35,674 t (USD 20.3 m) and imports of 10,429 t (USD 5.2 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for China is estimated by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.