Egypt is steadily progressing toward a new seasonal milestone in sweet potato exports to the UK, demonstrating consistent growth in shipments, according to EastFruit. Data shows that in the first nine months of the current marketing year (July–June), Egypt supplied nearly 55,000 tons of sweet potatoes to the UK, valued at $32.9 million. This volume already surpasses last year's total exports by 18% and exceeds those of MY 2022/23 by 71%.
Data analysis highlights Egypt's sustained upward trend and its strategic role as a key supplier of sweet potatoes to the British market. The average annual export growth over the past five seasons has been 14%, allowing shipments to more than double.
The UK is one of the primary destinations for Egyptian sweet potatoes, second only to the Netherlands in terms of total exports.
Monthly export dynamics reveal a clear seasonal pattern. The peak export period traditionally falls between September and January, complementing the seasonality of other major suppliers and enabling Egypt to secure a vital position in the annual supply cycle.
The United States remains the leading supplier of sweet potatoes to the UK. However, its share of total imports has been declining in recent years. In MY 2019/20, US exports accounted for 53% of the UK's total sweet potato imports, whereas by MY 2023/24, this figure had dropped to 40%. Conversely, Egypt's market share has steadily increased, rising from 17% in MY 2019/20 to 35% in MY 2023/24. This trend strongly suggests that Egypt is gradually displacing the US in the UK sweet potato market.
During the first nine months of the current season, Egyptian sweet potatoes comprised nearly 50% of the UK's total imports. However, given that US shipments peak between March and June, Egypt's share is expected to decline by the end of the season. Nevertheless, forecasts indicate that Egyptian exports may either surpass or closely match US shipments by season's end.
Egypt's success in expanding its sweet potato exports to the UK underscores the growing potential of its agricultural sector and its ability to compete in international markets. It also highlights the importance of diversifying export products to strengthen the country's economy.
As previously reported by EastFruit, Egypt's exports to the UK are not limited to sweet potatoes—shipments of regular potatoes have also been rising.
Source: EastFruit