Global potato market World production of potato exceeds 300 million tonnes of fresh tubers from 19 million hectares of land. In terms of production, potato is the world’s fourth most important crop, after maize, wheat, and rice; it is the most important non-grain staple. Global demand for potatoes and processed potato products, such as chips and crisps, is growing steadily. In the past decade, world potato production increased at 4.5% per annum and the area under cultivation at 2.4%2.

In Africa, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, and Morocco produce more than 80% of all potatoes in the continent. Growth rates are high, driven by increasing access to irrigation, rising incomes, urbanization, tourism, and access to the European markets during the winter season. Consumption patterns also demonstrate a general trend towards higher value items, including processed chips and crisps.