SPUD TRENDS: GLOBAL
World potato production, 1991-2007

The world potato sector is undergoing major changes. Until the early 1990s, most potatoes were grown and consumed in Europe, North America and countries of the former Soviet Union.

Since then, there has been a dramatic increase in potato production and demand in Asia, Africa and Latin America, where output rose from less than 30 million tons in the early 1960s to more than 165 million tons in 2007.

United Nations data shows that in 2005, for the first time, the developing world's potato production exceeded that of the developed world. China is now the biggest potato producer, and almost a third of all potatoes is harvested in China and India.

Top potato producers, 2006-2007

Quantity: tons

1. China 72,000,000
2. Russian Fed. 35,718,000
3. India 26, 280,000
4. Ukraine 19,102,300
5. USA 17,653,920
6. Germany 11,604,500
7. Poland 11,221,100
8. Belarus 8,497,000
9. Netherlands 7,200,000
10. France 6,271,000

Potato consumption, by region, 2005
Asia consumes almost half of the world's potato supply, but its huge population means that consumption per person was a modest 25 kg in 2005. The heartiest potato eaters are Europeans. Per capita consumption is lowest, but increasing, in Africa and Latin America.

Top potato consumers, 2005
Quantity: tons

1. China 52,882,000
2. Russian Fed. 20,442,000
3. India 18,253,000
4. USA 16,399,000
5. United Kingdom 6,842,000
6. Ukraine 6,659,000
7. Germany 6,120,000
8. Poland 4,893,000
9. France 3,880,000
10. Bangladesh 3,746,000

Source: www.potato2008.org/en/world/index.html