Opportunities for British Seed potatoes in China

After centuries of relying on rice and noodles to feed its hungry masses, China is now turning to a familiar British staple to meet the needs of its 1.3bn-strong population – the humble potato.

Facing more frequent droughts, falling water tables and widespread soil erosion, China's government has designated the potato as a "strategic"crop in the latest Five-Year Plan and is investing millions of pounds in researching new varieties.

This spring Beijing hosted its second International Potato Expo, attracting growers from around the world, including Britain, hoping to cash in on China's new-found love for the spud.



"What we are seeking is market access for British seed potatoes in China,"said Allan Stevenson, chair of the British industry's Potato Council, speaking in Beijing. "Britain has the most technologically advanced potato seed industry in the world and we can deliver substantial benefits to the Chinese."

China does not allow imports of potatoes for consumption, but an agreement signed six years ago did allow British growers to export cherry tomato-sized "mini"tubers to China for growing on into seed. However, British growers have so far been deterred by the risk of having their most valuable varieties – which can increase yields by 30pc overnight - copied and cloned by unscrupulous farmers.

"The protocol was signed six years ago but not a single producer has taken advantage of it because of the inability to protect their varieties,"said Mr Stevenson of the Potato Council. "It would be like giving China the master-tape of a Hollywood movie on the day of its release."

Negotiations are now under way to allow the export of full-grown seed potatoes to China, enabling seed growers to make profits and offset the risk of intellectual property theft.