Sweet potatoes production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 70,564 t of sweet potatoes, the 50th largest in the world (0.08% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 13%. The record was 91,666 t in 2022. Area harvested: 27,285 ha, yield 2.6 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 70,564 t
- World rank
- 50 of 111
- 10-year change
- +13%
- Record
- 91,666 t
- 2022
Sweet potatoes in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.08%
- 0.07% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 2.6
- world 12.6 (−79%)
- kg per person
- 1.10
- world 11.1
- 10-year change
- +13%
- world −3.1%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | Zambia | 83,542 | 0.09% |
| 49 | Uruguay | 82,001 | 0.09% |
| 50 | South Africa | 70,564 | 0.08% |
| 51 | Mexico | 66,732 | 0.07% |
| 52 | Côte d'Ivoire | 63,100 | 0.07% |
Map of world production of sweet potatoes
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 70,564 | −6.8% | 27,285 | 2.59 |
| 2023 | 75,723 | −17% | 28,894 | 2.62 |
| 2022 | 91,666 | +12% | 34,537 | 2.65 |
| 2021 | 81,613 | −3.0% | 30,236 | 2.70 |
| 2020 | 84,120 | −6.7% | 31,018 | 2.71 |
| 2019 | 90,156 | +4.6% | 32,777 | 2.75 |
| 2018 | 86,186 | +16% | 30,943 | 2.79 |
| 2017 | 74,365 | +21% | 26,304 | 2.83 |
| 2016 | 61,658 | −5.8% | 21,510 | 2.87 |
| 2015 | 65,473 | +4.6% | 22,423 | 2.92 |
| 2014 | 62,569 | −3.9% | 21,338 | 2.93 |
| 2013 | 65,135 | +18% | 21,934 | 2.97 |
| 2012 | 55,400 | −0.7% | 18,426 | 3.01 |
| 2011 | 55,775 | −15% | 18,195 | 3.07 |
| 2010 | 65,780 | +4.4% | 21,304 | 3.09 |
| 2009 | 63,022 | +20% | 21,000 | 3.00 |
| 2008 | 52,496 | +3.8% | 16,434 | 3.19 |
| 2007 | 50,598 | +7.7% | 15,500 | 3.26 |
| 2006 | 46,994 | −14% | 15,000 | 3.13 |
| 2005 | 54,342 | −0.8% | 16,130 | 3.37 |
| 2004 | 54,797 | +9.3% | 16,000 | 3.42 |
| 2003 | 50,129 | −4.3% | 14,500 | 3.46 |
| 2002 | 52,377 | −6.8% | 15,000 | 3.49 |
| 2001 | 56,210 | +8.0% | 16,151 | 3.48 |
| 2000 | 52,053 | +0.1% | 14,817 | 3.51 |
| 1999 | 52,000 | −10% | 14,774 | 3.52 |
| 1998 | 58,000 | −2.6% | 16,272 | 3.56 |
| 1997 | 59,568 | +28% | 15,500 | 3.84 |
| 1996 | 46,453 | −17% | 14,500 | 3.20 |
| 1995 | 55,874 | −15% | 15,500 | 3.60 |
| 1994 | 65,792 | +0.7% | 18,248 | 3.61 |
| 1993 | 65,332 | +15% | 17,500 | 3.73 |
| 1992 | 56,688 | −3.5% | 15,617 | 3.63 |
| 1991 | 58,744 | +9.2% | 16,000 | 3.67 |
| 1990 | 53,808 | +1.6% | 15,000 | 3.59 |
| 1989 | 52,975 | −9.8% | 14,500 | 3.65 |
| 1988 | 58,750 | −2.8% | 16,500 | 3.56 |
| 1987 | 60,452 | +19% | 16,500 | 3.66 |
| 1986 | 51,000 | −8.9% | 15,000 | 3.40 |
| 1985 | 56,000 | +7.7% | 15,000 | 3.73 |
| 1984 | 52,000 | +11% | 14,500 | 3.59 |
| 1983 | 47,000 | +6.8% | 13,000 | 3.62 |
| 1982 | 44,000 | −2.2% | 13,000 | 3.38 |
| 1981 | 45,000 | −2.2% | 13,000 | 3.46 |
| 1980 | 46,000 | −2.1% | 13,000 | 3.54 |
| 1979 | 47,000 | +6.8% | 13,000 | 3.62 |
| 1978 | 44,000 | 0.0% | 13,000 | 3.38 |
| 1977 | 44,000 | +7.3% | 13,000 | 3.38 |
| 1976 | 41,000 | +5.1% | 13,000 | 3.15 |
| 1975 | 39,000 | −9.3% | 13,000 | 3.00 |
| 1974 | 43,000 | +4.9% | 13,000 | 3.31 |
| 1973 | 41,000 | −2.4% | 13,000 | 3.15 |
| 1972 | 42,000 | +14% | 13,000 | 3.23 |
| 1971 | 37,000 | −14% | 13,000 | 2.85 |
| 1970 | 43,000 | +19% | 13,000 | 3.31 |
| 1969 | 36,000 | −10.0% | 14,000 | 2.57 |
| 1968 | 40,000 | −2.4% | 14,000 | 2.86 |
| 1967 | 41,000 | +17% | 15,000 | 2.73 |
| 1966 | 35,000 | −2.8% | 15,000 | 2.33 |
| 1965 | 36,000 | −7.7% | 15,000 | 2.40 |
| 1964 | 39,000 | +8.3% | 15,000 | 2.60 |
| 1963 | 36,000 | −18% | 15,000 | 2.40 |
| 1962 | 44,000 | +7.3% | 14,000 | 3.14 |
| 1961 | 41,000 | — | 14,000 | 2.93 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 15,620 t USD 10.7 m
- Exporter rank
- 10 of 97
- Imports
- 690 t USD 73,000
- Importer rank
- 57 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 South Africa?
South Africa produced 70,564 t in 2024, 0.08% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of sweet potatoes?
South Africa ranked 50th 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 South Africa changed?
It rose by 13% between 2014 and 2024, compared with −3.1% for the world. The record was 91,666 t in 2022.
What is the yield of sweet potatoes in South Africa?
2.6 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (70,564 t from 27,285 ha), against a world average of 12.6 t/ha.
Does South Africa export or import sweet potatoes?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 15,620 t (USD 10.7 m) and imports of 690 t (USD 73,000), 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. 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.