Top Sweet Potato Producing Countries

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a globally significant root crop, with China leading as the top producer by a wide margin—accounting for over 60% of the world's output. Other major sweet potato farming countries include Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda in Africa, as well as Indonesia and Vietnam in Asia. The history of sweet potato cultivation traces back at least 5,000 years to Central and South America, where indigenous peoples domesticated the plant. Spanish explorers introduced sweet potato to Europe and Africa in the 16th century, and it spread rapidly across the tropics and subtropics due to its adaptability and nutritional value. Today, sweet potato remains a staple food in many developing countries, valued for its resilience to poor soils and drought, as well as its rich supply of vitamins and energy.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat