Top leading countries in potato production worldwide
People began to eat sweet potato tubers 4.5 thousand years ago. The Indians of South America not only cultivated this plant, but also worshiped it, considering it a source of life.
At the beginning of the 21st century, this vegetable is one of the four most popular agricultural crops, along with corn, wheat and rice. Read on to learn how the geography of growing and consuming potatoes has changed over these centuries and who produces them most.
Historical reference
Over the course of several hundred years, potatoes have rapidly evolved from a “poisonous berry” to the most popular vegetable on the planet.. Widespread worldwide thanks to France. In the second half of the 18th century, it was there that the first plantations appeared. And the reason for this was famine due to the widespread failure of the grain harvest.
Potato tubers appeared in Russia thanks to Peter I, who brought several bags of an outlandish product from Holland. But neither under Peter I nor under Empress Catherine II did potatoes gain popularity among the population. Many people unknowingly ate poisonous berries rather than tubers.
Reference. In 1841, a decree “On the distribution and cultivation of potatoes” was issued in Russia, an educational program was held among citizens, and special areas for sowing were allocated for vegetable crops.
Despite all efforts, the tubers were only tasted in Russia by the middle of the 19th century.And at the end of the 20s of the 20th century, a collection of varieties was brought from South America to Russia, which helped to develop new ones that were resistant to diseases and the northern climate.
Top leaders in potato harvests per year
The undisputed leaders in growing this crop are China and India. Despite the fact that in these countries potatoes are not the main consumer product, since the end of the 20th century, the growth of its production has been increasing at a high rate.
Russia closes the top three. Thanks to climatic conditions, potato yields are high almost throughout the country.
Places on the list of potato producers are distributed as follows:
- China.
- India.
- Russia.
- Ukraine.
- USA.
- Germany.
- Bangladesh.
- France.
- Netherlands.
- Poland.
In Russia, the Bryansk and Voronezh regions are leaders in terms of potato cultivation. The Republics of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan also belong to the “potato” regions of the country. Tula, Nizhny Novgorod and Krasnoyarsk regions have similar yield indicators. But in the Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Okrugs practically no potatoes are grown.
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China, as the leading country in potato harvesting, receives about 90 million tons of tubers per year. The Chinese government is striving to increase the yield of this crop, since the vegetable is more profitable to grow per hectare of land compared to others.
Reference. However, potato yields in China are low compared to European levels. If in China they harvest about 17 t/ha, then in France – 47 t/ha.
Low soil fertility, inexperience of producers and a large proportion of viral seeds in the total mass of the product have an effect. But this situation does not prevent the republic from remaining a leader in this segment and producing every fifth tuber sold in the world.
India is the world's second largest producer with a gross output of 45 million tons. The rapid industrialization of this country allowed it to quickly take a leading position in the market. And this despite the fact that the vegetable is not a popular product in the diet of local residents, but a highly profitable product. Tuber collection is carried out by small, privately owned farms. The rate per hectare of harvested crop is also low - 16 t/ha.
In Russia, the area allocated for growing potatoes is almost 2 times less than in China, and amounts to about 3 million hectares, and the gross harvest is estimated at 37 million tons. Potato growing activities in the Russian Federation are focused mainly on small farms.
Important! Large producers grow only 10% of vegetables. Hence the low yield - only 14 t/ha.
Leaders in potato exports
In international trade, the world leader is Holland, which accounts for 18% of all exports. About 70% of Dutch exports are raw potatoes and products made from them. In addition, this country is the largest supplier of certified seed potatoes.
Of the three largest producers, only China, which ranks 5th (6.1%), made it into the top 10 exporters. Russia and India practically do not export their products.
Potato consumption rates per person per year in different countries
Most people love potatoes in the Republic of Belarus.Here they consume about 180 kg of this root vegetable per year per capita, that is, 0.5 kg every day. People in Kyrgyzstan also love potatoes. Approximately 140 kg per year is required to feed the average resident.
Ukraine is in third place with a consumption level of 135 kg per year. The situation is approximately the same in Poland - 130 kg per year.
In Russia, the average annual consumption is almost the same - about 130 kg per year.
African Rwanda is also among the top potato consumers: on average, residents of this southern country consume 125 kg per year. Next come Lithuania and Latvia. The crop consumption is 116 and 114 kg per year, respectively.
Despite the abundance and popularity of meat dishes, potatoes are not forgotten in Kazakhstan either - 103 kg of tubers per person per year. The UK closes the ranking, where the love for potatoes is estimated at 102 kg per person per year.
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Countries where potatoes are not grown
Potato tubers are grown at all latitudes from the Arctic to South America. More than 100 countries have become producers and exporters of this popular vegetable. Each country, to one degree or another, produces agricultural crops for domestic consumption or for sale. And if climatic conditions are unfavorable for commercial production, then this vegetable is grown for their own needs in all countries of the world.
Interesting! In 1995, potatoes became the first vegetable to be grown in space.
Conclusion
According to international agricultural unions, approximately 2/3 of all potatoes produced in one form or another are consumed by people, the rest is used for animal feed, technical needs and seeds for sowing.
In developed countries, potato consumption is gradually declining, while in developing countries it is constantly increasing. Inexpensive to produce and unpretentious to weather conditions, this vegetable produces good yields from small areas and provides food for the population.