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 2004 : | 12906800.00 | tonnes | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Seed in 2004 : | 1336020.00 | tonnes | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Area Harvested in 2004 : | 865690.00 | Ha | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Yield in 2004 : | 149093.00 | Hg/Ha | Calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Processed in 2004 : | 94514.00 | tonnes | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Production in 2003 : | 13188700.00 | tonnes | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
| Potato Seed in 2003 : | 1330600.00 | tonnes | Aggregate, may include official, semi-official, estimated or calculated data | ℹ |
Consumption Statistics South America
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1965: | 34.54 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1965: | 7.41 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1964: | 30.54 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1964: | 7.55 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1963: | 27.26 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
| Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1963: | 7.74 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
| Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 1962: | 28.41 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
