Egyptian sweet potato exporters have had a remarkable start to the current season, as they have significantly boosted their shipments to the EU from July to November 2023, according to EastFruit. They have also set the stage for breaking their own record of sweet potato exports to the European Union market.
In the first 5 months of the MY 2023/24 (July-June), EU countries imported 63 thousand tons of sweet potatoes from Egypt, which is 50% more than in the same period of the previous season. In fact, this figure matches the volume of supplies for the entire MY 2021/22. This suggests that Egypt will be able to sustain its high export growth rates until the end of the current season. It is worth noting that Egypt’s sweet potato exports to EU countries have grown 14 times since the 2017/18 season!
Furthermore, the rise of imports of Egyptian sweet potatoes is a key factor in the overall growth of sweet potato purchases in the EU from outside its borders. In July-November 2023, the European Union imported a record 93 thousand tons of this product, of which Egypt accounted for almost two-thirds. In the previous season, Egypt’s share for the entire period from July 2022 to June 2023 was 32%.
The Netherlands remains the main buyer of sweet potatoes from Egypt among EU countries, followed by other less significant importers such as France, Italy, Slovenia, Romania, Spain, Germany, and some other markets. Egypt managed to increase export volumes in all key directions for the first five months of the season. For instance, Egypt’s sweet potato exports to the Netherlands grew by 42% to 31 thousand tons, and to France and Slovenia rose respectively by 67% to 4.7 thousand tons and by 31% to 1.7 thousand tons. Moreover, for the specified period, supplies to Italy doubled, to Germany increased almost fivefold, and to Spain soared 9 times!
Read also: Top 10 fruit & vegetable treasures of Egypt: Part 1 – local mango or super mango
It should be noted that the main competitor of Egypt in the sweet potato market in the EU is the USA, although in recent seasons the periods of supplies of Egyptian and American sweet potatoes have less and less overlap. The main season of sweet potato supplies from Egypt is from August to January, which coincides with the lowest levels of imports from the USA. On the other hand, the USA dominates the EU market from February to July.
The list of less important countries-exporters of sweet potatoes to the European Union includes China, whose products are available on the EU market in relatively small volumes, but almost year-round, as well as South Africa, Honduras, Brazil, Peru, etc.
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