Yams Market

The global yams market is forecasted to continue growing with an anticipated CAGR of +3.5% for volume and +5.7% for value from 2022 to 2030. Nigeria leads in both consumption and production of yams, followed by Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. The United States is the major importer, while Ghana is the major exporter of yams. Global yams production and exports have shown significant growth rates over the last decade, with fluctuations recorded in certain years. The average yams yield and harvested area have remained relatively stable, with slight fluctuations. Import and export prices have also shown moderate changes over the years, with significant differences among major importing and exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for yams worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 100M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $156.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Yams

In 2022, the amount of yams consumed worldwide shrank slightly to 75M tons, approximately reflecting the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 79M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global yams market size fell to $100.2B in 2022, which is down by -2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $106.5B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

Nigeria (51M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of yams consumption, accounting for 67% of total volume. Moreover, yams consumption in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Ghana (8.4M tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Cote d'Ivoire (7.6M tons), with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria stood at +4.6%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Ghana (+2.4% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+3.0% per year).

In value terms, Nigeria ($66.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Cote d'Ivoire ($16.7B). It was followed by Ghana.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Nigeria totaled +3.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Cote d'Ivoire (+7.4% per year) and Ghana (-0.4% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of yams per capita consumption in 2022 were Cote d'Ivoire (274 kg per person), Ghana (259 kg per person) and Benin (251 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +1.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Yams

Global yams production shrank slightly to 75M tons in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 15%. Global production peaked at 79M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a moderate expansion of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, yams production fell slightly to $98.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $112.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of yams production was Nigeria (51M tons), comprising approx. 67% of total volume. Moreover, yams production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ghana (8.4M tons), sixfold. Cote d'Ivoire (7.6M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria stood at +4.6%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Ghana (+2.4% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+3.0% per year).

Yield

In 2022, the global average yams yield was estimated at 8.3 tons per ha, almost unchanged from the previous year's figure. In general, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 9.1%. The global yield peaked at 9.8 tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the global harvested area of yams declined to 9M ha, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 18%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of 9.4M ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the global yams harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports

World Imports of Yams

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded growth in overseas purchases of yams, which increased by 2.5% to 157K tons in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +93.9% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, yams imports expanded rapidly to $197M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 16% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The United States was the major importer of yams in the world, with the volume of imports accounting for 54K tons, which was approx. 34% of total imports in 2022. Canada (18K tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the UK (14K tons), the United Arab Emirates (8.1K tons), the Netherlands (7.8K tons), Belgium (7.3K tons) and France (7.1K tons). All these countries together took approx. 40% share of total imports. Niger (6.8K tons), South Africa (5.2K tons), Malaysia (4.9K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (4.4K tons) and Singapore (3.2K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, South Africa (+42.6%), Niger (+40.6%), Belgium (+22.0%), Malaysia (+12.7%), the United Arab Emirates (+9.3%), the Netherlands (+8.6%), France (+5.1%), Taiwan (Chinese) (+4.3%), Canada (+3.1%), the UK (+3.1%) and Singapore (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Africa emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +42.6% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Niger, Belgium, Malaysia and South Africa increased by +4.3, +3.4, +3.1 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($79M) constitutes the largest market for imported yams worldwide, comprising 40% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Canada ($32M), with a 16% share of global imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States totaled +3.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Canada (+7.3% per year) and the UK (+2.6% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average yams import price stood at $1,254 per ton in 2022, increasing by 3.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. Global import price peaked at $1,531 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($2,926 per ton), while Niger ($51 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+4.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Yams

In 2022, shipments abroad of yams decreased by -1.1% to 151K tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. Overall, total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +100.6% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 153K tons in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, yams exports rose slightly to $200M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

Ghana represented the major exporter of yams in the world, with the volume of exports recording 44K tons, which was approx. 29% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Jamaica (16K tons), the United States (14K tons), China (10K tons), Costa Rica (10K tons), Colombia (8.8K tons), India (8.2K tons), Japan (7.1K tons) and Brazil (6.9K tons), together creating a 54% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to yams exports from Ghana stood at +7.9%. At the same time, Colombia (+68.3%), Brazil (+54.2%), India (+9.3%), China (+6.2%), Japan (+5.2%), Jamaica (+4.8%) and the United States (+3.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +68.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Costa Rica (-6.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Colombia (+5.8 p.p.), India (+5.5 p.p.), Brazil (+4.4 p.p.) and Ghana (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Jamaica, the United States and Costa Rica saw its share reduced by -2.6%, -4.5% and -18.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($40M), Jamaica ($38M) and China ($23M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 50% share of global exports. The United States, Japan, Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Among the main exporting countries, Colombia, with a CAGR of +74.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average yams export price amounted to $1,323 per ton, picking up by 2.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 10%. The global export price peaked at $1,792 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($2,864 per ton), while India ($363 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Costa Rica (+4.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform