China Leads Global Sweet Potato Production: Key Trends

Abstract

In global agriculture, sweet potato production is one of the important indicators. According to the latest data for 2022, China is the largest producer, producing 46.8Mt. This shows the large scale of China’s agriculture and the advancement of production technology. Sweet potato production is affected by climatic conditions and soil adaptability, so China’s vast area and diverse climate contribute to the expansion of production. On the other hand, there are other major producing countries, but China’s production volume stands out and plays a leading role in the global sweet potato market. In addition, China’s sweet potato production not only meets domestic demand but also supplies the export market, affecting the global economy. This trend suggests that China is a global agricultural production and trade center.

Sweet potato production (worldwide)

Data on sweet potato production reveals long-term trends and characteristics. From 1961 to 2022, China achieved 134 Mt of agricultural sweet potato production in 1973, and production declined in the following decades. Currently, China’s production has fallen to about 35% of its peak. This trend reflects the influence of various factors in China’s agriculture. During the peak of agricultural production, China’s agricultural policies, technological innovations, and agricultural infrastructure development likely contributed to the increase in production. However, the subsequent decline may be influenced by factors such as the reduction of farmland due to urbanization and industrialization, environmental issues, and a decrease in the agricultural labor force. In addition, changes in domestic and international demand and international market competition will also affect China’s sweet potato production. Such trends highlight the need for sustainable development and policies in China’s agriculture.

The maximum is 134Mt[1973] of China, and the current value is about 34.9%

Sweet potato production (latest year, countries around the world)

As of 2022, China remains the largest producer of sweet potatoes in global agriculture, reaching 46.8 Mt. This figure accounts for about half of the world’s total sweet potato production. Meanwhile, the average production of other countries is 752 kt, totaling 87.2 Mt. This data shows that China has overwhelming production capacity, while other countries’ production is relatively small. The imbalance in sweet potato production is due to factors such as regional climatic conditions and soil adaptability, with China’s vast land area and diverse climate supporting its production capacity. In addition, sweet potatoes are a nutritious and important food resource around the world, and China’s production plays a role in meeting demand in the global market. This data shows China’s dominance in sweet potato production and the challenge of other countries, highlighting the importance of balance in global agriculture.

The maximum is 46.8Mt of China, the average is 758kt, and the total is 87.2Mt

Sweet potato production (continent)

Asia has the largest production of the agricultural crop sweet potato in world agriculture in 2022, reaching 144 Mt. This figure breaks previous records and is the current maximum. This trend shows that the Asian region is the main producer of sweet potatoes. The increase in sweet potato production in Asia is likely due to the development of agricultural technology and improved productivity in the region, as well as increased demand. Asian countries, especially China, are global leaders in sweet potato production, and their production has a significant impact on global supply. On the other hand, production in other regions is relatively small, with Asian production accounting for the majority of the total. The data shows regional imbalances in global agriculture and highlights Asia’s leading role in sweet potato production. In addition, it highlights the importance of agricultural policies and production systems in the Asian region from the perspective of sustainable agricultural development and food security.

The maximum is 144Mt[1973] of Asia, and the current value is about 36.6%

Sweet potato production (latest year, continent)

Asia has the largest sweet potato production in world agriculture in 2022, reaching 52.7 Mt. This figure accounts for about 61% of the world’s total sweet potato production. The average sweet potato production volume is 17.3 Mt, and the overall total is 86.4 Mt. This data shows that Asia plays a leading role in sweet potato production. While the Asian region’s production volume accounts for the majority of the total, other regions tend to have relatively low production. The high production volume in the Asian region is due to suitable climatic conditions and abundant farmland. Asian countries, especially China, are global leaders in sweet potato production, and their production volume has a significant impact on global supply. This trend shows the imbalance in agricultural production between regions and highlights Asia’s status as a major player in the global sweet potato market. It also highlights the importance of agricultural policies and production systems in the Asian region from the perspective of sustainable agricultural development and food security.

The maximum is 52.7Mt of Asia, the average is 17.3Mt, and the total is 86.4Mt

Main data

Reference