According to the latest data published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for 2024, global potato production reached 390.429 million tonnes, representing an increase of 1.0% compared to 2023 and 6.0% compared to 2014. Harvested area rose slightly by 0.5% year-on-year to 17.076 million hectares, although this level remains 5.3% below that of 2014. Average yields increased by 0.5% to 22.9 tonnes per hectare, reflecting a 12.2% improvement over the past decade.
Growth driven by South America and Oceania
In 2024, production growth was strongest in South America, Oceania, the Caribbean and Central America, with increases of 9.1%, 8.8%, 6.9% and 6.5% respectively.
Oceania recorded the largest expansion in planted area (+7.3%), followed by Central America (+4.5%) and South America (+2.7%).
Asia remains the dominant region
Asia continues to be the world’s leading potato-producing region, accounting for 52.6% of global production and 54.1% of harvested area.
In Europe and North America, planted areas declined in 2024, although Europe experienced a recovery in planted area in 2025.
In Africa, potato-growing areas increased by 0.6% to reach 2.216 million hectares, while production declined slightly by 0.2% to 34.199 million tonnes.
Significant yield gaps between regions
Only North America and Oceania recorded average yields above 40 tonnes per hectare.
North America achieved an average yield of 48.2 t/ha, while Oceania reached 42.7 t/ha, up 1.5%.
The Caribbean and South America each posted yield increases of 6.2%.
By contrast, yields declined by 0.8% in Africa and by 0.2% in Asia.
Yield gains over ten years despite declining acreage
Over the decade leading up to 2024, global potato yields increased by 8.8%. By comparison, yields rose by 6.4% for rice, 14.0% for soybeans, 19.2% for wheat and 17.9% for maize over the same period.
At the same time, global potato acreage declined by 5.3%.
Major producing countries
China remains the world’s largest potato producer, with output exceeding 33 million tonnes, followed by India. Chinese production increased by 1.2%, while India recorded a strong rise of 7.1%.
Ukraine ranks as the third-largest global producer with 21.4 million tonnes, although data reliability is affected by the ongoing conflict.
Finally, Germany and France recorded strong production growth in 2024 and 2025, with France surpassing the 10 million tonne threshold for the first time.