The first American sweet potatoes are currently being harvested. This is sooner than usual, mainly because of the mild spring, and the good growing conditions. Normally, sweet potatoes from the US are available year-round, but the latest harvest has already sold out completely, so an early harvest is most welcome.
The yield and quality of the product in the current season is very good.
Harvesting lasts from early September until the end of October. The US harvests around 977,000 tonnes of sweet potatoes. 50% of sweet potatoes on the European market originates from the US.
Harvested by hand
In spring, the sweet potato seedlings are planted in the sand beds, to produce plants. During summer, these are planted in the fields.
Sweet potatoes damage easily, which is why they're harvested by hand.
John Barnes, President of ASPMI, indicates that quality, flavour and skin are very good this year. The fresh potatoes are stored in special barns, in ideal temperature and humidity, until they're shipped to Europe. The European consumer prefers sweet potatoes from the US, because of the shape, flesh colour and taste. Covington, Beauregard and Orleans are the most popular varieties in Europe.
European market
Demand for sweet potatoes in the US itself is hugely increasing, the main reason for which is the health aspect and the nutritional value of the sweet potato, nearly all consumers in the US buy sweet potatoes. In Europe it's still a relatively small product category, although it's growing. Most consumers don't know how to cook the sweet potato, and they're also unaware of the high nutritional value of the product. At the moment, the current sweet potato market is estimated at 70,000 tonnes.
The South of the US
Sweet potatoes favour a subtropical climate, so the product mainly grows in the southern part of the US. The product is mainly cultivated in North Carolina.
Consumption of sweet potatoes per capita (US)
Consumption of sweet potatoes in the US has increased in recent years: Source: Bigpictureagricultures/ASPMI
Import of sweet potatoes to the EU
ASPMI
The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute was established in 2014, to promote the US sweet potato.
For more information:
American Sweet Potato
Postbus 281
8250 AG Dronten
Tel: +31 321-387933
pem@phaff.com
John Barnes, President of ASPMI, indicates that quality, flavour and skin are very good this year. The fresh potatoes are stored in special barns, in ideal temperature and humidity, until they're shipped to Europe. The European consumer prefers sweet potatoes from the US, because of the shape, flesh colour and taste. Covington, Beauregard and Orleans are the most popular varieties in Europe.
European market
Demand for sweet potatoes in the US itself is hugely increasing, the main reason for which is the health aspect and the nutritional value of the sweet potato, nearly all consumers in the US buy sweet potatoes. In Europe it's still a relatively small product category, although it's growing. Most consumers don't know how to cook the sweet potato, and they're also unaware of the high nutritional value of the product. At the moment, the current sweet potato market is estimated at 70,000 tonnes.
American sweet potatoes are sold both fresh and frozen, in retail and food service.
The South of the US
Sweet potatoes favour a subtropical climate, so the product mainly grows in the southern part of the US. The product is mainly cultivated in North Carolina.
Consumption of sweet potatoes per capita (US)
Consumption of sweet potatoes in the US has increased in recent years: Source: Bigpictureagricultures/ASPMI
Import of sweet potatoes to the EU
ASPMI
The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute was established in 2014, to promote the US sweet potato.
For more information:
American Sweet Potato
Postbus 281
8250 AG Dronten
Tel: +31 321-387933
pem@phaff.com