Home consumption of potato-based dishes increases in Spain by more than 10%

The potato has become a key garnish in the Spanish diet: from the traditional patatas bravas to the well-known Italian gnocchi or the Japanese korokke, the popularity of this tuber knows no limits, and its consumption grows year after year.

In 2020, sales of potato-based ready-to-eat meals for home consumption increased by 10%, reaching almost 70,000 tons, according to data from the Spanish Association of Ready-to-Eat Meal Manufacturers (ASEFAPRE).

One of the reasons the potato is so popular is because of its versatility. Nowadays, it's possible to find all kinds of potato products for all tastes in any supermarket.

There are different-sized sliced potatoes designed to serve as a side dish, spicy potatoes, precooked Parisian style potatoes, fun preparations designed for toddlers, as well as formats that make cooking easier, such as the potato omelet with or without onion, among many other options.

Alvaro Aguilar, the general secretary of ASEFAPRE:
 

“The potato is a healthy food that is suitable for all population groups. In addition, it has a wide range of gastronomic possibilities. It can be roasted, fried, cooked in purees, used as a side dish, or as the main dish. That's why the ready-to-eat food industry has been able to adapt them to numerous and innovative ready-to-eat menus.”

The recent increase in consumption at home has generated an increase in the search for easy-to-cook products that can be prepared quickly. In this sense, potato-based dishes are ideal, since they can be cooked in a very short time and prepared in many ways: in a pan, in an oven, steamed, and even in a microwave.

Potatoes are one of the most important food crops worldwide due to their nutritional qualities and they are an exceptionally positive food for the environment.