Pakistan's potato production has surpassed expectations in the 2024–25 season, reaching 9.9 million tons, 44.7 per cent higher than the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) target of 6.8 million tons, according to official data. The outcome reflects higher cultivation area and improved yields across major growing provinces.
Punjab remained the main contributor, producing 9.81 million tons, 45.2 per cent above its target of 6.76 million tons. The province expanded its cultivated area by 14.8 per cent to 373,000 hectares, while average yield improved by 3.8 per cent to 26,308 kilograms per hectare compared to 25,341 kilograms a year earlier.
Nationwide, the area under potato cultivation rose 41 per cent from 268,100 hectares to 378,100 hectares. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a 33.3 per cent increase in cultivated area, producing 27,700 tons compared to 21,100 tons last year, up 31.3 per cent. Balochistan also exceeded its target with 36,800 tons, 27.3 per cent higher than planned. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa narrowly missed their production goals but reported modest yield gains supported by favorable weather and improved crop management.
According to an official document cited by Wealth Pakistan, "Pakistan's potato production has exceeded expectations, achieving 44.7 per cent higher output than the target set by the Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA)." The report added that the crop continues to expand as one of the country's leading cash crops, now ranking as the fourth-largest by production volume after wheat, rice, and sugarcane.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ranked Pakistan ninth among the world's top ten potato-producing countries in 2023, following China, India, Ukraine, the United States, Russia, Germany, Bangladesh, and France.
For the 2025–26 season, the FCA has proposed a national production target of 8.92 million tons over 349,400 hectares, with Punjab expected to contribute 8.84 million tons, Balochistan 34,100 tons, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 35,000 tons, and Sindh 7,500 tons.
Agriculture experts note that potatoes have become an increasingly important crop in Pakistan, supported by expanding exports and rising domestic demand.
Source 1: The Daily Cpec
Source 2: APP
Source 3: Profit
