A German immigrant is credited with introducing the potato to Ethiopia in 1858. Over the following decades, farmers in Ethiopia's highlands began cultivating the new tuber - known as denech - as an "insurance policy" against cereal crop failures.
Among African countries, Ethiopia has possibly the greatest potential for potato production: 70 percent of its arable land - mainly in highland areas above 1 500 m - is believed suitable for potato. Since the highlands are also home to almost 90 percent of Ethiopia's population, the potato could play a key role in ensuring national food security.
At present, potatoes are still widely regarded as a secondary crop, and annual per capita consumption is estimated at just 5 kg. However, potato growing is expanding steadily: FAO estimates that production has increased from 280 000 tonnes in 1993 to around 525 000 tonnes in 2007.
Agricultural Statistics Ethiopia
| Potato Area Harvested in 2017 : | 67591.00 | ha | FAO data based on imputation methodology | ℹ |
| Sweet Potato Production in 2017 : | 2008290.00 | tonnes | FAO data based on imputation methodology | ℹ |
| Sweet Potato Production in 2017 : | 1799380.00 | t | Official figure | ℹ |
| Sweet Potato Yield in 2017 : | 305772.00 | 100 g/ha | Official figure | ℹ |
| Sweet Potato Area Harvested in 2017 : | 246503.00 | ha | FAO data based on imputation methodology | ℹ |
| Sweet Potato Yield in 2017 : | 81471.00 | hg/ha | Calculated data | ℹ |
| Sweet Potato Area Harvested in 2017 : | 58847.00 | ha | Official figure | ℹ |
Consumption Statistics Ethiopia
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2006: | 4.97 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2005: | 4.92 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2005: | 5.37 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2004: | 5.76 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2004: | 6.10 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2003: | 6.03 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2003: | 6.91 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
