China: Potato and Frozen Potato Products 2009 (Gain Report)

China's fresh potato production in MY08/09 is forecast at 65 million metric tons (MMT), not much change from the previous year. In the past two years, about 10 percent of China’s potato acreage shifted to other plantings due to the growth in grains production.

Processed potato products are forecast to increase by 10 percent due to the rapid expansion of western style and fast food outlets.

Frozen french fry (FFF) consumption is estimated to increase 10 percent in MY08/09 and another 15 percent in MY09/10. Imported FFF in MY07/08 is estimated at 57,200 metric tons (MT) while FFF production is estimated to account for over half of China’s total domestic consumption in MY07/08.