Potato New Zealand reported 419,200 tonnes of potato production in 2022-2023. That was 8.1% less than in 2021-2022, and 20.5% less than in 2018-2019.

The country had 176 commercial growers that planted 8,424 hectares between 2022 and 2023. The overall value of production was USD570m. In the four seasons before then, it was above USD610m.

“Of the 419,200 tonnes grown, 55.9% or 234,194 tonnes was for processing, 40.2% or 168,855 tonnes for table use, and the remainder for seed. New Zealand had the world’s highest yields in 2022, according to figures from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s statistics division. It was the only country to exceed the 50 tonnes/hectare level at 50.9 tonnes/hectare. That compared to 49.1t/ha for the USA. Denmark had the highest European yields at 44.2t/ha,” one Potato New Zeeland report reveals.

Production data for 2023-2024 are not yet available, however, growers report significantly reduced prices this season, implying an increased volume of potatoes. Table potato export prices peaked at USD737/tonne last year and have dropped to as low as USD245/t this season, according to producers World Potato Markets visited following the World Potato Congress. Fiji is the largest table potato export destination, accounting for 19,794 tonnes last year, or 80% of the total. French Polynesia and Samoa contribute more than 5% of total sales.