Potato Production and Breeding in China

China is the world's leading producer of potatoes, growing 22% of all potatoes. Production continues to rise, owing to increases in both land devoted to potato production and yield per hectare. Most potato production occurs in the northern and southwest regions of the country. The processing of coarse starch is the most important component of the potato processing industry in China, but other processing industries, such as crisps and French fries, are expanding. Major production constraints include inadequate germplasm resources for cultivar development, the lack of high quality seed potatoes, and limited access to equipment for mechanized cultivation, planting, fertilizing, spraying, and harvesting. Additional weaknesses in storage and transportation technologies must be addressed, as they are the major constraints for the healthy development of the potato industry. The introduction and improvement of these technologies will ensure the sustainable development of the potato industry in China.