China is the biggest producer of potatoes worldwide, with about one third of the world’s potatoes produced in China and India. According to FAO estimates, in 2021, over 376 million metric tons of potatoes were produced worldwide, an increase from a production volume of 333.6 million tons in 2010.
Potato production
Potatoes are essential crop and are recommended as a food security crop by the United Nations. Potatoes can grow in any climate and conditions. They take less time to grow and need less input than other vegetables and they can be replanted as seed potatoes. Potatoes provide high food energy and complex carbohydrates while taking up a smaller unit of land than other alternatives. In 2020, about 16.5 million hectares of potatoes were harvested worldwide.
Sweet potatoes
The global sweet potato market has grown over the past few years. In 2020, the global production of fresh sweet potatoes amounted to about 89.5 million metric tons, decreasing from previous years. China is the leading producer within the sweet potato market, responsible for more than 70 percent of global production.
