Peru to produce over 4.7 million tons of potatoes this year

Peru’s year-round potato harvesting season continues apace, and production numbers are on the rise.

Potatoes, by nature of their versatility, are one of the world’s great food products. To paraphrase noted potato aficionado Samwise Gamgee, you can boil ‘em, mash ‘em, or even stick ‘em in a stew and they will still be starchy and delicious.

So it’s good news for potato lovers everywhere that Peru, the birthplace of the potato, is projecting a total harvest of 4.7 million tons this year.

Unlike many of Peru’s other widely-cultivated plant products such as asparagus and berries, most Peru-grown potatoes are eaten right here in the country. 92% of all potatoes grown in Peru are consumed in the country, while only 8% are exported, mostly as frozen, pre-cooked dishes.

The Ministry of Agriculture has recently campaigned for increased potato consumption. Andina news agency reports that Peruvians consume, on average, 85 kilos of potato every year.

“One quarter of annual potato production happens in May, so that’s why this month we’ve been campaigning strongly to promote potato consumption,” said Miguel Quevedo Bacigalupo of the Multisectorial National Potato Day Commission, which is part of the Ministry of Agriculture.

In case you were wondering, National Potato Day in Peru is this coming Friday, May 30.