GAIN Report: China Potato and Potato Products annual 2010

China’s fresh potato production in MY09/10 is estimated at 64 million metric tons (MMT), a 10 percent decrease from the 71 MMT in MY08/09 due to unfavorable weather conditions, which resulted in record high potato prices domestically.

In 2010, the Government of China (GOC) added seed potato production to its seed subsidy program.

China’s potato starch production decreased 50 percent to 150,000 MT in MY09/10, due to the fresh production decline and resulting high prices. The decline in domestic starch production also contributed to a significant increase in starch imports, which grew 180 percent. The increasing imports also resulted in the initiation of a mid-term review of anti-dumping measures on potato starch originating from the European Union.

China’s frozen French fry, potato chip, and dehydrated potato production are expanding rapidly, driven by strong market demandChina’s FFF imports are forecast to stabilize at 55,000-60,000 MT in following years. The United States continues to dominate China’s imported Frozen French Fry market.