Andina

Farmers Day: Peru among world's top potato producers

13:52 | Lima, Jun. 24.

Within the framework of the Farmers Day —which takes place today— Peru managed to consolidate its position among the top 15 producers of this Andean tuber in the world, given the active participation of over 700,000 small producers, who cultivate potatoes in 19 regions across the country.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri), the South American nation is one of the main suppliers of this tuber, with an annual production of 5.3 million tons —as registered in 2019— and whose volume contributes to meeting the food needs of a population of 32 million consumers nationwide.

The results of the Andean tuber production confirm the position of Peru as the 14th world producer of potatoes. 

Ahead of Peru are China, India, Russia, Poland, the United States, Ukraine, Germany, the Netherlands, Belarus, France, Iran, Turkey, and Canada.

For example, according to recent reports, China has grown 4.8 million hectares of potatoes and has an annual production of 90 million tons.

Potatoes are of economic and social importance in the world as the third food crop in terms of human consumption —after rice and wheat.

World-renowned as the center of origin of potato, Peru has thousands of native potato varieties and —as a result of the global crisis caused by COVID-19— calls for reflection, for the enhancement of agrobiodiversity, and for the recognition of those who preserve the more than 3,000 potato varieties.

(END) RMB/MVB

Published: 6/24/2020