PRODUCTION
Distribution potatoes
After maize the potato is the most widely distributed crop in the world.
- The potato originates from the mountains of South America where it has been an important food crop for a long time.
- In the 16th century the potato was introduced to Europe as a curiosity. Gradually it became a food crop, especially when varieties were selected which were adapted to the long day conditions. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was already an important food crop, especially for the poor in various countries in Europe.
- In North America too, where immigrants from Europe had taken tubers along with them, it found its place among other food crops.
- During the 19th century the potato was introduced to several tropical and sub-tropical countries, mainly by colonists from Europe.
- In more recent years the potato has spread to many countries with warmer and drier climates and it has become important in regions such as North Africa, the plains of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Central America, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and the coastal plains of Peru.
- It is grown in about 140 countries, more than 100 of which are located in the tropical and subtropical zones.
- WORLD ACREAGE is 19 327 731 hectare: PRODUCTION is 325 302 445 tonnes: YIELD is 16.8 tonnes per hectare. Potato is after rice, wheat and maize the 4 th most important crop in the world.
