While China is primarily a domestic market for sweet potatoes, there is also a modest volume of exports. Chinese sweet potatoes find their way to international markets, including neighboring Asian countries. The export market is not as significant as the domestic market, but it is has been growing year-on-year.
A large number of sweet potatoes are planted in Baodian Town, Ningjin County, Dezhou. Wang Xuegang, the person in charge of the Shengtai Potato Industry, says: "Our latest variety Longshu No. 9 is characterized by a short growth period, high yield, and good sweetness. The finished sweet potato output per 0.01 hectare can reach 4,800 kg. The combined first and secondary crop can reach 6,000 kg. Prices have been good.”
This early-maturing sweet potato varieties are listed two months in advance. Sales prices are twice as high as when it is listed in larger batches.
The local unique semi-sandy soil is very suitable for the cultivation of sweet potatoes, which not only have a high yield but also good quality.
In addition to the early-maturing variety Longshu No. 9, there are also two varieties of Yanshu 25 and Watermelon Red. The entire harvest period will last until the end of October, during which sweet potatoes will be harvested one after another.
Wang Xuegang, the person in charge of Shengtai Potato Industry, said: "First class crops are available at wholesalers in supermarkets and in big cities in Tianjin and Beijing. The remaining second-class crops are the small potatoes that e-commerce companies especially like, and they all buy them. There is almost nothing left in the field. Customers go to the field to receive the goods on the spot, load them on the truck and leave. Perhaps in the future we can also explore the export market, as global sweet potato demand continues to grow.”
