Potatoes are a key staple in diets across the world, although consumption rates do vary in each market. Worldwide, potato production is increasing and is of key importance in developing economies, with China and India among the world’s top producers of fresh potatoes.
Elsevier Food International, Vol.8, No.3, September 2005

Despite increasing production levels, consumption of fresh potatoes has been in decline for some years. Most developed markets have experienced a drop in consumer demand for fresh product, while demand for processed potatoes (frozen, dehydrated, and chips/French fries) has increased steadily. Consumption of processed potatoes is such that, in some countries, overall potato consumption almost doubles when this product is taken into account. In the USA consumers ate a further 58kg per capita of processed products, while Canadians consumed some 38.8kg per capita of processed product in 2003.

Changing consumption and food preparation habits largely explain the shift from fresh to processed product. In recent years the impact of fashionable low-carbohydrate diets, such as Atkins, Zone and South Beach have added to fresh potatoes’ woes. To redress the balance, potato industries across the world have invested heavily in marketing, stressing the nutritional benefits of potatoes and counteracting the image of potatoes as a "fattening" food. Additionally, new innovations and category management initiatives, such as pre-prepared fresh chilled potatoes, dressings and seasonings marketed with the product, low carbohydrate potatoes and promoting specific and new varieties are all employed to increase consumption of fresh product.

Per capita consumption of potatoes (kg. per capita)

Source: National statistics,FAO, Promar estimates