POTATO FACTS...
New Zealand facts

We are a nation of potato lovers and we efficiently produce enough potatoes both for ourselves and for export.

• Potatoes are grown in all parts of the country with the principal growing areas being Pukekohe (just south of the largest city Auckland), Manawatu (in the Central North Island) and South Canterbury in the South Island.
  
  
• Production in New Zealand over the last 10 years has increased markedly even though area under production has remained reasonably static. The percentage of crop targeted for processing has also increased significantly in the last decade to around 55%.
  
  
• Eat NZ grown potatoes and save the world's water supply! A serving of potatoes uses 25% of the water required for a serving of pasta and 4% of water required for rice.
  
  
• There are over 50 varieties grown in New Zealand. The main varieties are Rua, Nadine, Agria, Moonlight, Desiree, Ilam Hardy and Red Rascal.
  
  
• In New Zealand there are 285 potato growers and the growing area is 10,534 hectares. Approximately one quarter of the annual crop is exported.
  
  
• Around 500,000 tonnes of potatoes are grown annually. If the average size of a potato is 175g, this is approximately 2,855,000,000 potatoes! If all of those potatoes were eaten in New Zealand this would equal nearly 720 potatoes a year for every man, woman and child!
  
  
• Fresh market potatoes can be grown and harvested all year round.
  
  
• New Zealanders are a nation of potato lovers with 97% of all New Zealanders eating them...
  - 54% of the population eats fresh potatoes four or more times a week.
  - 41% of New Zealanders eat processed potatoes at home fortnightly or more.
  - New Zealanders eat 7 million serves of hot chips per week.
  - 20% of the population is eating fresh potatoes daily.
  
  
• Most New Zealanders get around 30% of their vitamin C requirement from potatoes.
  
  
• Potatoes make a significant contribution to New Zealanders diets because;
  - of their valuable nutrition status, e.g. vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.
  - their accessibility to the population in terms of cost, e.g. good quality nutrition at a price most can afford
  - their acceptance to the palate of so many New Zealanders.
  - potatoes are one of the most popular vegetables.