Israel’s sweet potato industry focuses on local market and prepares for the first World Sweet Potato Congress
Despite the ongoing conflict in Israel, the sweet potato harvest for 2024 is looking remarkably promising. According to Guy David, Head of Israel’s Sweet Potato Industry Association, the challenges posed by the war have been significant, particularly during the planting season. However, the industry has managed to overcome these hurdles, largely thanks to the hard work of Thai laborers who have been pivotal in ensuring the successful planting of crops.
David notes that a substantial portion of Israel’s sweet potato fields are located near the Northern border with Gaza, an area that has become a militarized zone due to the conflict. This situation forced many growers to shift their operations more centrally within the country. “We have been able to shift production to the middle of the country with the help of many people,” David explains. “We’re seeing a very good yield of sweet potatoes and managed to plant much more in the center of Israel.”
The scale of production is significant, with approximately 12,000 dunams (1,200 hectares) of sweet potatoes under irrigation. This method of farming has led to increased yields, allowing the industry to focus on meeting the demands of the local market. Exporting sweet potatoes has taken a back seat, primarily due to unfavorable exchange rates, with the British Pound and Euro weakening against the Israeli Shekel. Additionally, input costs have risen sharply as a result of the war, further cementing the decision to prioritize domestic supply.
David’s family business, David’s Fruit, has played a central role in this resilient industry. Based in Moshav Adanim in central Israel, the farm was founded by David’s late father, Itay David, and is now run by his mother, Michelle David, with his brother, Idan David, managing the fields. Their primary focus is on growing sweet potatoes, although they also cultivate other vegetables.
Looking ahead, David is enthusiastic about the industry’s future, particularly with plans to host the first World Sweet Potato Congress in Israel. Although the event has been delayed due to the war, the aim is to establish a biennial congress, bringing together global stakeholders to discuss developments and innovations in sweet potato farming.
