A review published in Foods by researchers from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and partner institutes examines global potato processing patterns and China's position within the sector. The analysis draws on FAOSTAT, UN Comtrade datasets, and case studies from 11 producing countries to track processing volumes, product categories, and trade flows.
The study notes that processing drives much of the value creation in major producing regions. The global potato processing market was valued at about 41 billion US dollars in 2023, with projections approaching 60 billion US dollars by 2031. In the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium, between 60 and 80 per cent of output is processed. China processes about 15 per cent of its potatoes and India about 7 per cent.
China's processing sector developed later than those in North America and Western Europe, but domestic demand for processed formats is rising. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs listed potatoes as a staple crop in 2014. More than two-thirds of China's potatoes are still consumed fresh, although consumption of fries and chips has increased. In 2022, China became a net exporter of frozen French fries. Eight major manufacturers in China produced and sold about 1.27 million tons of fries in 2023.
Many of the automated cutting, drying, and frying lines used in China are imported from Europe, although domestic firms have begun installing more advanced equipment. The study notes that efficiency and product consistency remain below levels reported in Europe and North America.
Case studies outline the roles of major processing regions. The United States and Canada process more than 60 per cent of production, with frozen fries dominating. Germany and the Netherlands maintain strong starch and specialty processing sectors. France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom maintain high levels of fries and chips output. India and South Africa show growing production but lower processing shares.
Four main product groups structure global processing: fries, chips, flakes and granules, and starch. Trade in each category reflects domestic industrial capacity, retail demand, and the presence of multinational processors.
The review applies Porter's Diamond Model to China's position. Advantages include land availability and expanding domestic demand. Constraints include gaps in specialised varieties, storage aligned with processor requirements, and advanced automation. Machinery, packaging, and logistics capabilities are strong at the national level, but specialised potato processing equipment remains import reliant.
Environmental expectations are reshaping processing in all regions. European plants increasingly use by-products in animal feed and biofuel. China's stricter wastewater rules have driven consolidation in the starch sector and encouraged improved recovery systems. Quality management relies on HACCP and integrated safety systems, with automated sensing and machine-vision controls becoming more common globally.
Source: Potato News Today
