The potato originated in South America yet the region has the world's lowest level of potato production, less than 16 million tonnes in 2007.
The potato remains a traditional crop for small farmers in the Andean region, where it is cultivated along with potato species unknown elsewhere.
In other countries - Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia - production of Solanum tuberosum by large scale commercial growers is increasing.
Agricultural Statistics South America
| Potato Production in 2012 : | 15402700.00 | tonnes | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Production in 2012 : | 14370200.00 | tonnes | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Seed in 2012 : | 1517780.00 | tonnes | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Area Harvested in 2012 : | 921847.00 | Ha | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Area Harvested in 2012 : | 888103.00 | ha | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Yield in 2012 : | 167085.00 | Hg/Ha | Calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Yield in 2012 : | 161808.00 | hg/ha | Calculated data | ℹ |
Consumption Statistics South America
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1986: | 26.83 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1986: | 3.38 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1985: | 28.05 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1985: | 3.26 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1984: | 30.81 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1984: | 3.29 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1983: | 26.06 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
