Potatoes

The potato is an edible tuber originating in highlands of South America. Growing potatoes for food value has spread across the world to the extent that it is now the world's fourth most important food crop, following maize, wheat, and rice. The vegetable (Solanum tuberosum) is gaining in importance globally, resulting principally from increased growth in suitable areas of India and China. Global production has doubled over the last two decades and is forecast to do so again by 2020. China has the largest crop of potatoes, with annual production of around 80.5 million tons (73 million tonnes), from a worldwide total of 356 million tons (323 million tonnes). The Russian Federation produces 39.7 million tons (36 million tonnes) per year, and the third largest ...