China: Potato Output Rises Sevenfold Since 1961 to 94.8 Million Tonnes, Southwest Leads Area

China produced 94.8 million tonnes of potatoes in 2024, according to FAOSTAT data published by Our World in Data. In 1961 the figure was 12.9 million tonnes. Output passed 66 million tonnes in 2000 and 92 million tonnes in 2020. Since then it has stayed between 92 and 95 million tonnes.

Yield growth has been slow compared with Europe. The FAOSTAT yield was 9.9 tonnes per hectare in 1961, 14.0 tonnes in 2000 and 20.8 tonnes in 2024. Most of the growth came from area.

Official Chinese figures

Chinese statistics count potatoes as grain, after converting fresh weight into grain equivalent. According to an analysis by the news portal The Paper, based on the statistics office, the planted area in 2024 was 66.89 million mu. This equals about 4.46 million hectares. Production was 18.46 million tonnes in grain equivalent.

The agriculture ministry gives fresh weight figures. It said in April 2024 that fresh potato output grew from 72.95 million tonnes in 2008 to 97.04 million tonnes in 2022. The average yield rose from 1,050 to 1,348 kilograms per mu in the same period. The ministry credited the National Potato Industry Technology System, set up in 2008.

Where potatoes grow

The southwest now leads by area. Sichuan and Guizhou each planted more than 10 million mu in 2024, according to the same analysis. Their shares of national area were 15.4% and 15.2%. By production, Gansu was first with 12.5% of the national total. Yunnan followed with 11.3%.

The crop is closely linked to rural poverty policy. More than 70% of the potato area is in counties that recently left poverty, the ministry said. It also reported that 90% of seed was virus-free and 85% of varieties were specialised by use.

Trade

China has become a growing exporter of fresh and processed potatoes. According to the analysis, exports reached 1.41 million tonnes in 2025. Imports were 49,100 tonnes. The trade surplus was about US$799 million, based on customs data.

Why it matters

China is the largest potato producer in the world. Its yields remain near half of the level in Northwest Europe. Any gain in seed quality or irrigation in the southwest and northwest could add large volumes to Asian markets.

For exporters of seed, machinery and frozen fries, China is both a market and a rising competitor. Its northern processing regions already ship more fries abroad each year.

Photo: A potato field in China (illustrative). wanghongliu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0