World

Potatoes rank as the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat in terms of human consumption, with over one billion people worldwide including them in their daily diets. In 2023, global production reached approximately 383.08 million metric tons, according to FAO, with China leading the way at 93.49 million metric tons, followed by India with 60.14 million metric tons. These two countries alone account for a significant share of the world's potato output.

On the trade front, the Netherlands, France, and Germany emerged as the top exporters of potatoes in 2023, while Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, the United States, and Italy were the largest importers, highlighting the crop’s global economic importance and wide-reaching appeal.

Potatoes were first cultivated by the Inca Indians in Peru between 8,000 and 5,000 B.C. The ancient Incas even used the time it took to cook a potato as a way to measure time—highlighting its importance in their culture. While potatoes eventually reached the northern colonies, they gained popularity only after Thomas Jefferson served them at the White House. His endorsement helped the crop gain wider acceptance, a trend further boosted by Irish immigrants who had strong ties to potato farming.

Until the early 1990s, potato production was mostly concentrated in Europe, North America, and the former Soviet Union. Since then, demand has surged in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where production grew from under 30 million tons in the 1960s to over 375 million tons by 2022. Today, the potato is a truly global staple.