10 Septembre 2024
Where the land is fertile, the potato is king, but its price depends on the hand that harvests. Several factors influence the price of potatoes depending on the regions of the world, thus justifying the variation in the cost of a kilo of potatoes throughout the world.
Depending on the region, culture and local cuisine, the potato, this edible tuber, is appreciated in very different ways. In Europe, the potato is a staple food consumed in mashed form, roasted, gratin or even in the form of fries. In South America, it occupies a central place in the cuisines of countries such as Peru and Bolivia. In North America, they are found as a side dish in fast food and other dishes. As for Asia, particularly in China and India, it is used in curries or samosas. In Africa it is served in soups, stews or simply in porridge as a side dish.
The versatility of this food across the regions of the world justifies the considerable variation in the cost of a kilo of potatoes according to the regions, under the influence of factors such as production, purchasing power and food preferences.
The different ways in which the potato is appreciated in the world offer us a range of prices for a kilo of this food.
In Western Europe, we find relatively high prices due to higher production costs and strict quality standards. In France, the average price is around 2.08 euros per kilo. On the other hand, in Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland this price varies between 0.78 and 1.55 euros.
In Africa, the kilo of potatoes also varies considerably. The average prices per kilo in August 2024 are around 0.66 euros in Morocco, 0.75 euros in Kenya, 0.50 euros in Algeria, 0.56 euros in Tunisia and between 0.70 and 1 euro in Congo Brazzaville. While noting that this price can fluctuate depending on import costs, transport conditions and local supply.
In America, we find between 1.81 and 3.62 euros per kilo in the United States, 0.95 euros per kilo in Mexico and around 0.85 euros per kilo in Brazil.
In Asia, particularly in India and China, we find lower prices, around 0.35 to 0.78 euros per kilo.
The variation in the price of a kilo of potatoes in the world reflects not only local economic realities, but also the global dynamics of supply and demand. As a staple food, this price variation can have significant implications for consumers, particularly in regions where potatoes play a crucial role in food security.