Sweet potatoes production in Malawi
In 2024 Malawi produced 8.0 million t of sweet potatoes, the 2nd largest in the world (8.78% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 90%. This is the highest figure on record. Area harvested: 314,753 ha, yield 25.4 t/ha.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 8.0 million t
- World rank
- 2 of 111
- 10-year change
- +90%
- Record
- 8.0 million t
- 2024
Sweet potatoes in Malawi, 2014–2024 (tonnes)
Malawi compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 8.8%
- 4.5% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 25.4
- world 12.6 (+101%)
- kg per person
- 369
- world 11.1
- 10-year change
- +90%
- world −3.1%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 51,354,274 | 56.5% |
| 2 | Malawi | 7,980,473 | 8.8% |
| 3 | Nigeria | 4,091,239 | 4.5% |
| 4 | Tanzania | 2,227,515 | 2.4% |
Map of world production of sweet potatoes
Share of the world total; Malawi is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7,980,473 | +4.9% | 314,753 | 25.35 |
| 2023 | 7,609,426 | +1.6% | 310,754 | 24.49 |
| 2022 | 7,491,115 | +0.6% | 313,494 | 23.90 |
| 2021 | 7,448,247 | +7.7% | 318,091 | 23.42 |
| 2020 | 6,918,420 | +8.6% | 303,442 | 22.80 |
| 2019 | 6,369,543 | +12% | 290,183 | 21.95 |
| 2018 | 5,668,543 | +3.6% | 283,187 | 20.02 |
| 2017 | 5,472,013 | +23% | 271,449 | 20.16 |
| 2016 | 4,463,710 | +3.2% | 220,342 | 20.26 |
| 2015 | 4,324,873 | +2.7% | 213,165 | 20.29 |
| 2014 | 4,209,699 | — | 207,710 | 20.27 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 408 t USD 19,000
- Exporter rank
- 41 of 97
- Imports
- 16 t USD 10,000
- Importer rank
- 111 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 Malawi?
Malawi produced 8.0 million t in 2024, 8.8% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Malawi rank in the world for production of sweet potatoes?
Malawi ranked 2nd of 111 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 56.5% of the world total.
How has the production of sweet potatoes in Malawi changed?
It rose by 90% between 2014 and 2024, compared with −3.1% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
What is the yield of sweet potatoes in Malawi?
25.4 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (8.0 million t from 314,753 ha), against a world average of 12.6 t/ha.
Does Malawi export or import sweet potatoes?
In 2024 Malawi reported exports of 408 t (USD 19,000) and imports of 16 t (USD 10,000), 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 Malawi is imputed 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.