• Egyptian sweet potato exports to the EU surged to 149,551 tonnes in 2024, surpassing the US and breaking records.
• Since 2020, Egypt quadrupled sweet potato export volume and revenue to Europe, driven by production growth and smart timing.
• Egypt targets August to January for exports to avoid direct competition with US supplies, which dominate from February to July.

In just four years, Egypt has transformed into a leading supplier of sweet potatoes in Europe, overtaking the United States, the long-standing market leader.

According to a recent report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) released in early August, Egypt exported 149,551 tonnes of sweet potatoes to the European Union in 2024. That is up from 100,000 tonnes in 2023, valued at $113 million (roughly CFA63.3 billion). This volume marks a new national record and demonstrates Egypt’s growing impact on the EU market.

Egypt’s sweet potato exports to Europe have grown fourfold since 2020, when the country shipped 35,224 tonnes valued at $28 million. This rapid growth follows increased production, strong demand for orange-fleshed varieties preferred by European consumers, close geographic location, and a sharp marketing strategy.

Egypt strategically avoids competing directly with the US. The country focuses on exporting mainly from August through January, a period when US sweet potato imports to Europe drop significantly. On the other hand, the US dominates the market from February through July, as Egyptian producers gear up for the next season, typically from April to June.

This clever timing benefits both competitors and solidifies Egypt’s position in the sweet potato supply chain.

Moreover, Egypt’s success extends beyond the European Union. The UK, Europe’s top sweet potato consumer, also shows soaring demand for Egyptian product. Between 2020 and 2024, UK sales of Egyptian sweet potatoes jumped from 28,522 tonnes to 49,878 tonnes.

Espoir Olodo