POTATOES NEWS is an international potato news portal that publishes information in 102 languages . Over time, the site has accumulated a significant volume of user search queries. To effectively analyze content and strategically plan future activities, it is essential to systematize these queries, categorize them into key thematic groups, translate them into English, and assess their popularity. This report presents the classification of all search queries on the site, their translation into English, a frequency analysis (highlighting the most popular searches), and a geographical analysis of topic popularity. Based on these findings, recommendations have also been prepared for industry companies on which market segments and regions offer the greatest potential for audience engagement and effective marketing activities.
Categories of Search Queries
All user queries have been classified into several main thematic categories. Below are these categories with examples of specific translated queries in each:
- Potato Varieties – queries about types of potatoes, their characteristics, and choosing the best options:
- “Best potato varieties for planting”
- “New Sound potato variety for the Mediterranean”
- “Comparison of Shangy and Wanjiku potato yield”
- Cultivation Technologies – queries about farming methods, agronomy, and innovations in potato cultivation:
- “Modern potato growing technologies”
- “How to increase potato yield per hectare”
- “Use of drones and AI in potato farming”
- Diseases and Pests – queries about identifying and managing potato plant diseases and pests:
- “How to treat potato late blight”
- “How to control Colorado potato beetle”
- “Preventive measures for viral potato diseases”
- Market, Prices, and Export – queries about industry news, price trends, potato trade, and exports:
- “Potato prices in Russia in 2024”
- “Egyptian potato exports to Europe”
- “Global potato market outlook and trends”
- Processing and Storage – queries about potato processing into products (chips, starch, fries, etc.) and long-term storage:
- “Technology for producing frozen French fries”
- “Best conditions for storing potatoes in winter”
- “Equipment for potato processing and packaging”
- Culinary Recipes – queries about potato-based dishes, national recipes, and cooking techniques:
- “Traditional recipe for potato pancakes (draniki)”
- “How to make potato gratin at home”
- “Best potato dish recipes for special occasions”
- Companies and Brands – queries related to specific companies, brands, and potato industry products:
- “McCain company news on new product releases”
- “New Lay’s chip flavors in 2025”
- “PepsiCo’s projects in the potato sector”
- Other Significant Topics – miscellaneous queries, including climate factors (weather, irrigation), equipment, scientific research, government support programs, etc. (e.g., “Drought impact on potato harvest,” “Drip irrigation systems for potato fields”).
Search Query Frequency Analysis
Analyzing the distribution of search queries across these thematic categories reveals that user interest is concentrated primarily in a few key areas. The diagram below shows the percentage breakdown of queries per category:
Fig. 1: Distribution of POTATOES NEWS user search queries by thematic category.
The diagram indicates that the most common queries relate to cultivation technologies and culinary recipes (each accounting for approximately 20% of all queries). Combined, technical agronomy-related topics (cultivation, diseases, storage) and producer-oriented topics make up about half of all queries, indicating a strong professional audience of farmers and agronomists. At the same time, culinary queries related to recipes account for a significant portion (~20%), showing the broad engagement of consumers and food enthusiasts.
Next in popularity are potato variety queries and disease/pest-related queries, each representing about 15% of all searches. Interest in potato varieties is driven by the fact that different countries have their preferred and high-performing varieties (each region often has a “cult favorite” potato variety ). A large number of disease-related questions (e.g., late blight, Colorado potato beetle) reflect farmers’ need for crop protection solutions.
The “Market, Prices, and Export” category accounts for around 10% of queries, with users frequently searching for price trends and trade updates. For example, potato price fluctuations in specific regions (especially when prices rise sharply, such as the spike in Egyptian potato prices in Russia ) generate increased searches.
A similar 10% share belongs to “Processing and Storage.” This includes both industrial processing (potato product manufacturing) and long-term storage concerns. For example, many users seek information on preventing spoilage in storage, particularly in humid climates where potato rot is a significant risk .
Finally, company and brand-related searches account for about 5%—a relatively small but important category, reflecting interest in corporate news, product launches, and industry trends. The remaining ~5% is divided among miscellaneous topics (equipment, climate conditions, scientific research, etc.).
Most Popular Individual Queries
Overall, the highest-ranking queries relate to practical advice for farmers and potato consumption topics. The top five most frequent search queries are:
- “How to fight potato late blight” – a common query among farmers, as late blight is one of the most devastating potato diseases.
- “Best potato varieties for growing” – frequently searched by both farmers and home gardeners looking for optimal planting options.
- “Potato prices [in a region]” – a regular query, especially in harvesting and off-season periods when prices fluctuate significantly.
- “Recipe for potato pancakes (draniki)” – one of the most popular culinary queries, reflecting the cultural importance of this dish in high-potato-consumption regions (e.g., Belarus, where per capita potato consumption is ~178 kg per year, five times the global average ).
- “Storing potatoes in winter” – a practical concern for farmers and consumers alike, seeking to preserve crops for long periods.
Geographical Popularity of Search Topics
The POTATOES NEWS audience is global, and interest in different topics varies by country and region. Analyzing geographical data reveals the countries where certain topics generate the most engagement.
The table below shows thematic categories and the countries where they are most popular:
| Category | Countries with the Highest Interest |
|---|---|
| Potato Varieties | Belarus, Netherlands, Kenya – (high interest in new/local varieties) |
| Cultivation Technologies | India, China, Russia – (major producers implementing modern agritech) |
| Diseases and Pests | Russia, Ukraine, India – (regions facing frequent disease outbreaks) |
| Market, Prices, and Export | Russia, Netherlands, UK – (key markets, exporters, and importers) |
| Processing and Storage | USA, Belgium, Russia – (processing hubs, high storage needs) |
| Culinary Recipes | USA, Germany, Belarus – (large cooking enthusiast communities) |
| Companies and Brands | USA, UK, Russia – (corporate news interest in key potato markets) |
Recommendations for Companies
Based on search trends and geographic demand, the following recommendations are suggested for companies in the potato sector:
- Seed companies and breeders should focus on Eastern Europe and Africa, where demand for new varieties is high.
- Agricultural technology providers should prioritize India, China, and Africa, where farmers seek efficiency-boosting innovations.
- Crop protection and agrochemical companies should target Eastern Europe and South Asia, as these regions show high concern for disease control.
- Trading and processing companies should focus on major potato-producing and consuming countries (Russia, Europe, China).
- Food brands and potato product manufacturers should engage with North America and Europe, where consumers actively search for new potato-based products and recipes.
In summary, POTATOES NEWS search query analysis highlights a full “farm-to-table” interest—ranging from agronomy to culinary use. Companies should tailor content and marketing efforts to target the most relevant topics in each region, ensuring effective audience engagement and growth in the global potato industry.
