Shandong

Shandong is an important potato producing province in eastern China, benefiting from its combination of fertile agricultural land, a temperate monsoon climate and access to major population and food processing markets. Potato cultivation is particularly concentrated in Tengzhou in Zaozhuang, which has developed a strong reputation as one of China’s major potato production centres. The area’s agricultural conditions and relatively well-developed infrastructure support both fresh market production and commercial potato supply chains.

Potato production in Shandong is characterised by intensive cultivation and relatively high productivity. Tengzhou has adopted diversified cropping systems, including combinations involving potatoes, vegetables and grain, allowing farmers to make use of the province’s agricultural land across different seasons. Research on Shandong’s potato sector has also highlighted the importance of improving production scale, breeding and seed systems, mechanisation and cost efficiency as the industry develops.

Shandong also serves as an important location for potato variety introduction and evaluation. Research institutions and commercial breeding organisations have tested varieties from southern and other parts of China for adaptation to Shandong’s climate and soils. In trials conducted in Shandong, varieties including Minshu 1, Yunshu 502, Yunshu 901, Yunshu 902 and E-Mashu 12 demonstrated suitability under local conditions, illustrating the province’s role in evaluating and expanding the regional potato germplasm base.

Potatoes were introduced into China several centuries ago, although widespread expansion as a food and commercial crop occurred much later. Shandong became part of China’s central potato growing region, where potatoes can be cultivated in systems that allow more than one crop cycle in suitable areas. Over time, improved varieties, agricultural research and better production practices contributed to the development of commercial potato cultivation in the province.

Tengzhou’s potato industry has developed particularly strongly over roughly the past century. The city is widely associated with potato production in China and has been described as having a nearly century-long history of potato cultivation. By the early 2020s, potato cultivation in Tengzhou had reached about 30,300 hectares, while intensive production areas were reported to achieve yields of approximately 60–75 tonnes per hectare. Continued variety introduction, improved cultivation practices and development of the processing and marketing chain have strengthened Shandong’s position in China’s potato industry.