Brazil

Potato production in Brazil is mainly concentrated in the south-central region—particularly Paraná, São Paulo, and Rio Grande do Sul—which together produce around 90% of the national crop. This area, covering the Altiplano, Eastern Sierra, Central Depression, and Southeastern Sierra near the Atlantic coast, features a humid, subtropical climate ideal for potato cultivation.

 In Rio Grande do Sul, potatoes are grown at altitudes up to 1,100 meters despite challenges from irregular rainfall and temperature variations. São Paulo supports near year-round cultivation, while states like Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and Santa Catarina contribute smaller, seasonal outputs. Major varieties include imported types such as Bintje, Achat, Delta, and Radosa, with Baronesa widely grown in Rio Grande do Sul. Brazil produced approximately 4.19 million tonnes of potatoes in 2023, with a per capita consumption of 20.43 kg/year in 2021, emphasizing the crop’s importance in national agriculture and food security.

Brazil is recognized as the center of origin for cassava, one of the world’s most important root crops. However, potato cultivation remained virtually unknown in the country until the late 1800s. During this period, European immigrants introduced the potato to southern Brazil, where the climatic conditions proved favorable for its cultivation (Secretaria da Agricultura: A Batata em São Paulo, 1976). In regions like São Paulo, potatoes can be cultivated and harvested nearly year-round due to the temperate environment. In recent years, the potato has become a regular part of the Brazilian diet, steadily gaining popularity and becoming well integrated into local food culture.