Surface area devoted to ware potatoes cultivation in France 2022, by region

In 2022, over 154,000 hectares of agricultural land were dedicated to the cultivation of potatoes in France.

French potatoes: a success story

Nord-Pas-de-Calais, followed by Picardie, are the regions with the largest cultivation area devoted to this type of crop and the largest production volume. Indeed, both regions abound with wide, open spaces and enjoy a climate that is temperate and humid: perfect conditions for potato farming.
In France, potatoes are used in three major sectors: consumption (potatoes intended for the fresh market, conservation/early harvest, and for the processing market), the starch sector (potatoes intended for the paper industry, the food industry, materials, textiles…), and the seed sector (potatoes for new plantings).
Each year, 5 to 7 million tons of potatoes are produced for consumption which places France as the second-largest producer in Europe, and eighth worldwide. Incidentally, French potatoes are also successful outside of the country’s borders. W

A potato on every plate?

Between 1950 and 2020, the consumption of potatoes drastically changed. Indeed, after the Second World War, potatoes were considered to be a product of basic necessities, and in 1960, around 95 kilograms were consumed per capita nationwide. Since then, consumption slowly decreased, as other food products became more readily available and French incomes increased. Nowadays, the annual consumption of fresh potatoes averages around 21 kilograms per inhabitant.
Nevertheless, French people are still very fond of this root vegetable, an essential ingredient in many beloved dishes. Furthermore, manufacturers now offer a wide range of choices of products with potato as the base ingredient. From frozen chips to tortillas and crisps, the potato and its by-products are set to remain a staple in many French houses.