All India, production has increased to 52.58 million tons in 2018-19 compared to 41.54 million tons in 2013-14. Production is increasing because of increasing consumption. The table depicts the state-wise production comparisons year-on-year. Major producing states are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat and Punjab which contribute approximately 80% to the total production. Potato is mainly a rabi crop and major cold stores are by and large located in the above mentioned states.These states are also the major suppliers of potato to the rest of the country.

As per NSSO consumption survey in 2011, per capita consumption of Potato in India is 1.85 kg/month per capita. It is likely that per capita consumption of table potato has crossed 2 kg/month since the NSSO survey. Annual table potato consumption in 2018-19 is estimated to be 34.5 million tonnes

China is the largest potato grower in the world followed by India. Russia is the 3rd largest producer after China and India with a yearly production of nearly 22 million tons. Ukraine, USA, Germany, Bangladesh, France and Netherlands are other significant potato producing countries.

China being the largest producer of potato, yield is nearly 17 Ton/Ha whereas India’s average yield is nearly 23 Ton/ha. USA and Germany are the highest yield producing countries with average yield of 42-47 Ton/Ha followed by France and Netherlnads with 42.64 and 42.53 Ton/Ha respectively.

The table above depicts the country-wise exports from India on yearly basis. Normally 3- 4 lakh tons of potato are exported every year. Approximately 80% of India’s total potato exports are to Nepal followed by Oman, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius and Malaysia.

The chart above depicts the potato price seasonality. Prices normally starts rising from June onward and are firm till October. Prices start coming down from November as fresh crop from Punjab starts coming in markets and in few regions stock ofrabi crop is still available in cold storages. After Punjab, fresh crop from U.P followed by West Bengal, Bihar and Gujarat starts coming into the market. Fresh crop is available in the market till May and after that cold store potato is consumed. Smaller quantity of fresh potato from the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand comes to the market during June to October but their prices are high compared to the cold store potato.

• Total production for 2018-19 is estimated at 51.5 million tons compared to 49.50 million tons in previous year. Crop year is taken as Nov- Oct, as fresh arrivals starts from Punjab in Nov.
• Annual Post-harvest losses are taken to be 8-10%.
• Potato processing industry growing at CAGR 5-6%. In 2017-18 lower processing because of lesser production.
• Annual consumption figure is almost 33-34 million tons. As per NSSO consumption survey in 2011, per capita consumption of Potatoin India was 1.85 Kg/month. Over this, simple growth rate of 5% is applied to factor in the change in consumption habits over 2011 in last five years. With population of 1.324 billion, total annual consumption in 2018-19 is estimated to be 34.5 million tonnes.
• Quarterly consumption of potato varies between 8-9 million tons based on availability and Prices.
• 60-70% of Rabi production goes to store which is mainly harvested in March and April.
• Kharif potato arrivals starts from Aug. Kharif potato production share is 10-15%
• Exports figure are taken from DGCIS till Oct 2018 and assumed for subsequent months based on trends.