China

China stands as the world's leading producer of potatoes, playing a crucial role in both domestic food security and the global potato supply chain. According to FAO estimates, in 2023, China produced approximately 93.49 million tonnes of potatoes, cultivated across nearly 4.57 million hectares of farmland.

Potatoes are unique in China’s agricultural portfolio as the only crop that can be grown in all regions of the country, with four major production zones: North China, Southwest China, the Central Plains, and the South Winter Cropping Area. Provinces like Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Sichuan, and Shaanxi lead in both volume and innovation.

Notably, Dingxi in Gansu Province, known as the "Potato Capital of China," has over 200 years of cultivation history and serves as a national hub for seed potato production and research.

The country's potato sector is supported by a network of specialized research institutions such as the Potato Research Institute of the Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Potato Engineering Technology Research Center at Inner Mongolia University, and the Belt and Road International Innovation Institute for the Potato Industry, established in partnership with the International Potato Center. These centers drive advancements in breeding, sustainable cultivation, mechanization, and value-added processing.

China cultivates a wide range of potato varieties to meet diverse regional conditions and market needs, with popular types like Qingshu 9 grown in over 13 provinces, Cooperation 88, Jizhangshu, and premium varieties such as Innovator and Ivory Russet, which are favored by the fast-food industry. Modern varieties including Diamant, Cardinal, and Granola are also under evaluation for yield and adaptability.

In addition to robust domestic production, China plays an expanding role in the global potato trade, particularly as an exporter of fresh and frozen potatoes. Key markets for fresh or chilled potato exports include Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore, mostly comprising non-seed potatoes, while frozen products are exported primarily to Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Conversely, imports remain minimal and consist largely of specialty varieties sourced from the Netherlands, Peru, the United States, and Belgium.

The history of potato cultivation in China dates back to the late Ming dynasty, when the crop was introduced from the Americas. For centuries, however, it remained a relatively minor agricultural product, primarily grown in the cooler, drier regions of northern and western China.

It wasn’t until the mid-20th century, particularly following the Great Chinese Famine, that potato production began to rise significantly as part of efforts to diversify food sources and increase food security. Technological advancements in the 1990s led to a dramatic surge in production, pushing China to the forefront of global potato output, especially as European production declined.

Recognizing the crop’s potential, the Chinese government launched the "Potato as a Staple Food" initiative in 2015, aiming to elevate potatoes to the same status as rice, wheat, and corn in the national diet. This strategy was driven by the potato’s high yield, ability to grow in poor soils, and potential to support food security.

While traditionally seen as a vegetable rather than a staple in Chinese cuisine, potatoes are now being incorporated more widely, including in processed forms like crisps and fries, fueled by China’s fast-growing food and snack industries.

Organic potato farming has also gained traction since 2004, with Heilongjiang and Wuchuan County leading in eco-friendly production. Today, despite some declines in output due to land-use changes and shifting crop priorities, the potato remains a strategic focus in China’s agricultural modernization and food policy.