China expands its influence in the global potato processing market as sector develops

The global potato processing market has undergone substantial changes in recent decades, with China beginning to shape its overall structure. These findings come from a study conducted by researchers from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese University of the Academy of Sciences, the State Key Laboratory for the Effective Use of Dry and Semi-Arid Arable Lands of North China, the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Gansu Institute of Agricultural Product Storage and Processing of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. 

The study was published in the journal Foods. Scientists indicate that the global processed potato market was valued at USD 40.97 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 60.08 billion by 2031. 

China, although the world’s largest potato producer, processes about 15% of its harvest. India processes around 7%. By comparison, the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium maintain much higher processing levels due to modern technology, greater automation, and stronger quality control systems. 

The publication notes that China is expanding its processing sector quickly, but productivity, automation, and product quality still lag behind leading producers. The largest gaps remain in the production of French fries, potato chips, potato flakes, and starch, as well as in sustainability and overall competitiveness. 

A key milestone occurred in 2022, when China became a net exporter of frozen French fries for the first time. Researchers state that this development reflects improved product quality and a stronger international market position. 

 

Looking ahead, the potato processing sector is expected to advance through higher automation, greater innovation, more comprehensive by-product utilization, and deeper integration into global markets. 

 

China’s Leadership in Global Potato Production: Key Regions, Varieties, and Trade Insights

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.

China is the world’s largest producer of potatoes, supported by diverse regions and strong research capacity