Sweet potato

Overview

Production

Country Production

Cultivation

What is Sweet potato?

Sweet potatoes are starchy, root vegetables that belong to the Convolvulaceae family. They are grown in many parts of the world and are known for their distinctively sweet taste. These tuberous crops have rough outer skin that can vary in color, ranging from orange, red, and purple, to beige. The flesh inside is usually creamy white or vibrant orange, depending on the variety. Sweet potatoes are often mistaken for yams, but they are different plants and belong to separate botanical families.

The cultivation of sweet potatoes dates back thousands of years, with their origins traced to Central and South America. They were introduced to other parts of the world by early European explorers. These hardy plants can thrive in a variety of climates and soil conditions, making them a versatile crop. They are typically harvested when the vines have withered, revealing the tubers beneath the ground. Sweet potatoes are known for their ability to store well, which makes them a reliable food source during the winter months.

Sweet potatoes have long been a staple in many cuisines around the world. They can be prepared and cooked in numerous ways, ranging from baking, boiling, roasting, or frying. The taste and texture of sweet potatoes make them a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be mashed, pureed, or used as an ingredient in soups, stews, and casseroles. The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes also makes them a popular choice for desserts, such as pies, cakes, and puddings.

In addition to their culinary uses, sweet potatoes have also found applications in non-food industries. The starch extracted from sweet potatoes is used in the production of textiles, adhesives, and biodegradable plastics. The leaves of the sweet potato plant are sometimes consumed as a leafy green vegetable, while the vines are used as animal feed. Furthermore, sweet potatoes are valued for their ornamental qualities and are grown as decorative plants in gardens and landscapes.

Overall, sweet potatoes are versatile, nutritious, and delicious root vegetables that have a long history of cultivation and consumption. Their natural sweetness and adaptability in various dishes make them a popular choice in many cuisines around the world. Whether enjoyed as a main ingredient in a hearty meal or used creatively in desserts, sweet potatoes continue to be a beloved and versatile component of global culinary traditions.

Sweet potato Production in the World

China is the top country producing Sweet potato in the world. As of 2022, China produced 46,604,009 tonnes of Sweet potato, accounting for 53.93% of the total production. Malawi is the world's second-largest Sweet potato producer, with 8,051,118 tonnes, which represents 9.32% of the total production. In terms of Sweet potato yield, Guyana is the most productive country on the planet with 1,033,824. Tanzania, Nigeria, and Angola are the top three leading countries with '4,259,620', '4,011,035', '1,873,002', and '1,372,745' tonnes respectively. Maldives has the lowest production of Sweet potatoes in the world with only 2 tonnes in 2022. The world's total production of sweet potatoes was estimated at 86,410,357 tonnes in 2022.

Source: FAOSTAT

Top 10 Countries by Sweet potato Production in 2022

Top Countries by Production of Sweet potato in 2022

Rank	Country	Production(Tonnes)	Acreage(Hectare)	Yield
1	China	46,604,009	2,148,111	216,953
2	Malawi	8,051,118	335,783	239,771
3	Tanzania	4,259,620	576,196	73,927
4	Nigeria	4,011,035	1,508,514	26,589
5	Angola	1,873,002	189,378	98,903
6	Rwanda	1,372,745	189,435	72,465
7	Uganda	1,337,512	314,250	42,562
8	India	1,184,000	107,000	110,654
9	United States	1,176,483	53,500	219,903
10	Madagascar	1,132,742	133,334	84,956
11	Ethiopia	1,000,576	43,685	229,044
12	Vietnam	976,122	85,821	113,740
13	Indonesia	875,000	47,444	184,430
14	Brazil	847,100	58,229	145,477
15	Burundi	807,861	71,685	112,695
16	Japan	710,700	32,300	220,031
17	Papua New Guinea	710,121	139,026	51,078
18	Kenya	650,000	47,468	136,935
19	Democratic Republic of the Congo	591,101	117,919	50,128
20	Cameroon	579,883	89,010	65,148
21	North Korea	566,601	41,441	136,725
22	Philippines	558,321	82,879	67,366
23	Mozambique	510,238	83,646	61,000
24	Egypt	508,314	14,775	344,042
25	Mali	452,193	30,359	148,949
26	Guinea	384,053	73,153	52,500
27	South Korea	332,845	22,760	146,243
28	Bangladesh	303,710	28,940	104,945
29	Sierra Leone	286,118	34,563	82,781
30	Peru	275,995	15,263	180,830
31	Cuba	267,085	32,322	82,634
32	Sudan	266,987	34,790	76,743
33	Niger	233,697	7,376	316,826
34	Taiwan	224,691	9,177	244,845
35	Chad	218,015	31,984	68,164
36	Ghana	142,671	78,340	18,212
37	Zambia	132,442	39,684	33,374
38	Lao PDR	128,240	7,390	173,532
39	Argentina	119,092	9,563	124,530
40	Burkina Faso	115,580	9,880	116,982
41	Haiti	111,662	48,755	22,903
42	Senegal	110,600	2,496	443,179
43	Solomon Islands	108,196	7,688	140,733
44	Equatorial Guinea	103,749	19,218	53,987
45	South Africa	87,647	33,008	26,553
46	Uruguay	81,433	8,364	97,364
47	Mexico	81,095	4,093	198,116
48	Australia	77,059	1,943	396,568
49	Zimbabwe	62,793	20,091	31,255
50	Myanmar	62,712	6,728	93,213
51	Dominican Republic	62,243	7,256	85,780
52	Jamaica	60,466	3,479	173,803
53	Cote d'Ivoire	58,684	33,489	17,523
54	Benin	56,590	10,597	53,404
55	Paraguay	51,634	5,084	101,556
56	Sri Lanka	45,040	4,109	109,613
57	Malaysia	44,687	2,643	169,044
58	Guinea-Bissau	40,738	8,155	49,957
59	Cambodia	40,305	4,954	81,354
60	Israel	32,642	1,992	163,865
61	Honduras	25,342	4,160	60,917
62	Liberia	24,394	2,187	111,541
63	Guyana	21,140	204	1,033,824
64	Venezuela	20,139	2,070	97,270
65	Chile	15,089	1,410	107,026
66	Pakistan	14,134	1,637	86,341
67	New Zealand	11,865	1,220	97,248
68	Morocco	11,710	560	209,107
69	Fiji	10,771	1,346	80,000
70	Comoros	10,572	2,250	46,988
71	Togo	9,919	2,738	36,227
72	Republic of Congo	9,191	1,278	71,907
73	Somalia	8,656	873	99,179
74	Tonga	6,564	660	99,391
75	Mauritania	5,265	2,782	18,924
76	Timor-Leste	4,602	1,835	25,083
77	Bolivia	4,512	1,073	42,059
78	Ecuador	4,124	2,094	19,691
79	Gabon	3,915	2,015	19,431
80	Micronesia	3,118	567	55,000
81	Cabo Verde	2,802	195	143,692
82	Barbados	2,543	97	261,810
83	Eswatini	2,499	1,336	18,701
84	Palestine	2,389	87	273,711
85	Dominica	2,314	385	60,074
86	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	1,822	179	101,531
87	The Bahamas	1,770	518	34,167
88	Mauritius	1,759	115	152,957
89	Costa Rica	1,711	575	29,778
90	Botswana	1,169	69	168,558
91	Trinidad and Tobago	1,165	193	60,363
92	El Salvador	750	129	58,110
93	St. Lucia	723	31	230,000
94	Grenada	675	241	27,994
95	New Caledonia	566	399	14,207
96	Puerto Rico	440	49	89,136
97	Suriname	408	26	155,022
98	Yemen	325	39	83,177
99	Cook Islands	300	11	274,812
100	Panama	283	20	141,563
101	Brunei Darussalam	277	36	76,694
102	Niue	252	16	154,566
103	Belize	231	48	48,125
104	Guatemala	181	28	64,704
105	Antigua and Barbuda	145	36	40,097
106	St. Kitts and Nevis	126	23	54,169
107	Hong Kong SAR	62	5	131,522
108	Bhutan	28	15	18,849
109	Kuwait	25	3	77,067
110	Maldives	2	2	10,447

Cultivation of Sweet potato

Sweet potatoes are tropical crop that requires warm weather and well-drained soil. Here are some general steps for cultivating sweet potatoes:

Choose a suitable location: Sweet potatoes grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. They require warm temperatures and can be sensitive to frost, so it's important to choose a location with a long growing season.
Prepare the soil: Sweet potatoes prefer loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Before planting, the soil should be amended with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and fertility.
Plant the sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes can be started from slips, which are small sprouts that grow from the eyes of the sweet potato. These can be purchased from a nursery or propagated from a mature sweet potato. Plant the slips in rows, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches apart and covering the roots with soil.
Provide adequate water: Sweet potatoes require regular watering throughout the growing season, especially during hot, dry weather. It's important to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
Control weeds: Weeds can compete with sweet potatoes for nutrients and water, so it's important to keep the area around the plants free of weeds. This can be done through hand-weeding or the use of mulch.
Harvest the sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are typically ready to harvest about 100 to 120 days after planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions. The potatoes can be dug up carefully with a fork, taking care not to damage the roots. They should be cured in a warm, dry place for about 7 to 10 days before storing.

With proper care and maintenance, sweet potatoes can be a rewarding and delicious crop to grow in your garden or farm.

Health Benefits of Sweet potato

Sweet potatoes offer a range of health benefits due to their rich nutritional profile. Here are some key health benefits associated with consuming sweet potatoes:

High in antioxidants: Sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, which gives them their vibrant orange color. Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A in the body and acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including certain cancers.
Good for digestive health: Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Fiber promotes healthy digestion, prevents constipation, and supports a healthy gut microbiome. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes satiety, and aids in weight management.
Supports immune function: The high levels of vitamin A found in sweet potatoes contribute to a healthy immune system. Vitamin A plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes, which act as a barrier against harmful pathogens. It also supports the production of white blood cells that help fight off infections.
Promotes heart health: Sweet potatoes are a heart-healthy food choice. They are naturally low in fat and sodium, and their fiber content helps reduce cholesterol levels. Additionally, sweet potatoes are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and maintain proper heart function.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Sweet potatoes contain several compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, including anthocyanins and other antioxidants. These properties may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is associated with various chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
Nutrient-rich and low in calories: Sweet potatoes are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, and potassium. Despite their rich nutrient content, sweet potatoes are relatively low in calories and can be a satisfying addition to a balanced diet.

It's important to note that individual nutritional needs and health conditions may vary. Consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian is recommended to determine the best dietary choices for your specific needs and goals.

Nutritional Information of Sweet potato

Here is the nutritional information for sweet potatoes per 100 grams:

Calories: 86 kcal
Carbohydrates: 20.1 grams
Protein: 1.6 grams
Fat: 0.1 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Vitamin A: 283% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin C: 3.1% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 10% of the DV
Potassium: 7% of the DV
Magnesium: 4% of the DV

Sweet potatoes are a highly nutritious option due to their abundance of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Notably, they are recognized for their impressive vitamin A content, as just one serving can contribute a substantial portion towards the recommended daily intake. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal vision, bolstering immune function, and facilitating cell growth.

Regional variety of Sweet potato

Sweet potatoes exhibit a wide range of regional varieties, each with its own unique characteristics and preferred uses. Here are a few examples:

Beauregard Sweet Potato (United States): This variety is one of the most popular sweet potatoes in the United States. It has reddish-orange skin and vibrant orange flesh. Beauregard sweet potatoes are versatile and can be used in various culinary applications, including baking, roasting, mashing, and even making sweet potato fries.
Stokes Purple Sweet Potato (United States): Known for its vibrant purple skin and flesh, the Stokes Purple sweet potato is a visually striking variety. It has a slightly nutty flavor and maintains its color even after cooking. This variety is often used in desserts, such as pies, cakes, and puddings, as well as in savory dishes like roasted vegetables or mashed sweet potatoes.
Japanese Sweet Potato (Japan): Also referred to as Satsumaimo, Japanese sweet potatoes have reddish-brown skin and yellowish flesh. They have a naturally sweet flavor and a moist, creamy texture. In Japan, they are commonly enjoyed as a baked or steamed snack, used in traditional desserts, or added to savory dishes like stews and soups.
Boniato Sweet Potato (Latin America and the Caribbean): Boniato sweet potatoes have light brown or tan skin and white flesh. They have a slightly drier texture and a mildly sweet taste. In Latin American and Caribbean cuisines, boniato sweet potatoes are often used in savory dishes, such as soups, and stews, and as a side dish in various preparations, including boiling, baking, or frying.

These are just a few examples of regional sweet potato varieties and their respective uses. The versatility of sweet potatoes allows them to be utilized in an array of culinary creations, both sweet and savory, across different cultures and cuisines.

Structure of Sweet potato

The sweet potato is a root vegetable, and its structure consists of several parts:

Skin: The skin of a sweet potato can be brown, purple, red, or beige, depending on the variety. The skin is thin and smooth, with a slightly rough texture.
Flesh: The flesh of a sweet potato is typically orange, but it can also be white or purple. The flesh is firm and starchy, with a sweet flavor.
Eyes: Sweet potatoes have several small "eyes" on their surface, which are the points where new shoots can grow if the potato is planted.
Sprouts: If a sweet potato is left in storage for too long, it may begin to sprout. The sprouts are small, green shoots that grow from the eyes of the potato.
Roots: The roots of a sweet potato grow from the bottom of the potato and anchor it in the soil. The roots are long, thin, and fibrous.

Overall, the structure of a sweet potato is simple, but its various parts work together to create a nutritious and flavorful root vegetable.

Types of Sweet potato

Sweet potatoes come in a wide range, and each one has a distinctive appearance, flavor, and nutritional profile. Here are a few popular sweet potato varieties:

Beauregard: In the US, this is one of the most widely consumed sweet potato kinds. It tastes sweet and has orange flesh and skin.
Jewel: The flesh and skin of this type are both vivid oranges. It is renowned for its juicy texture and sweet flavor.
Garnet: This type has a rich, sweet flavor and vivid red skin. Its flesh possesses a vivid orange hue as well.
Hannah: The meat of this type is creamy white with tan skin. Compared to some of the other sweet potato types, it has a milder flavour.
Japanese sweet potato: Purple-skinned Japanese sweet potatoes have a sweet, nutty flavour. It has a creamy white colour to its flesh.
White sweet potato: This type has white flesh and light tan skin. It is less sweet than other sweet potato types and has a mildly sweet, nutty flavour.

There are numerous additional sweet potato types, each with a distinctive flavour and appearance. Depending on the kind, sweet potatoes' nutritional value can also change.

Uses of Sweet potato

Vegetables that may be utilized in a variety of ways include sweet potatoes since they are adaptable and healthy.

Here are some typical applications for sweet potatoes:

Cooking: Sweet potatoes are frequently used in savory meals including stews, curries, and casseroles. They can be boiled, baked, roasted, or mashed. Additionally, they can be added to desserts like pies, cakes, and puddings.
Snacks: As a healthier alternative to typical potato chips and fries, sweet potato chips and fries are gaining popularity.
Soups: Pureed sweet potatoes can be used as a foundation for soups and stews.
Salads: Roasted sweet potato cubes are a healthy and eye-catching complement to salads.
Baby food: Sweet potatoes are a popular ingredient in homemade baby food due to their mild flavor and soft texture.
Animal feed: Sweet potatoes can be used as livestock feed, notably for pigs and cattle.
Alcohol: Sweet potatoes can be fermented to make alcohol, such as shochu, a traditional Japanese drink.

Overall, sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious food that may be prepared in a variety of ways, ranging from sweet to savory.