A Comparitive Review of the Potato Industries in China and India

This review conducts a comprehensive comparison of the potato industries in China and India. China has a large-scale potato planting area with phased development, while India has a higher per-unit-area yield but limited growth potential. Both countries are constantly optimizing their potato varieties. In the market aspect, China’s potato processing industry is more developed, with a wide range of processed products such as various types of fries, chips, flakes, and starch. The proportion of potatoes used for processing in China is about 15%, and processed and food-based consumption is relatively high. China also has a certain scale in potato trade, with a large export volume of fresh or refrigerated potatoes, but the deep-processed product exports face competitiveness challenges. In contrast, India’s potato processing industry is less developed, mainly relying on potato chips. Only about 7% of potatoes are used for processing, and fresh potato consumption dominates, resulting in high post-harvest losses. Although India’s frozen processed potato product exports are growing rapidly, its international market share remains low. In terms of production, China has four major agro-ecological zones with well-developed transportation and storage infrastructure, while India’s production is concentrated in specific regions with infrastructure limitations. Both countries face common challenges like raw material supply issues, environmental pressures, market competition, and technological constraints. Looking ahead, processed potato products are expected to develop towards being healthier and more functional, and potato cultivation will increasingly adopt advanced technologies.