Food security is an increasingly important issue in a world that needs to find ways to sustainably feed more than 8 billion people.
Food security is about ensuring people have access to sufficient safe and nutritious food at all times – even in times of crisis.
And while lower protein, higher carb (starchy) vegetables have not always received the dietary respect they deserve in recent years, potatoes have enviable statistics when it comes to food security.
Productive and resilient
Potatoes produce more calories per hectare than most staple crops, including rice and wheat. They also have a shorter growing season, allowing for multiple harvests in a year.
The environmental score card for potatoes stacks up well against other crops too, producing less CO², lower nitrate leaching and requiring less water to produce than legumes, wheat, or rice.
The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition has calculated that a kg of potatoes requires 550 litres of water compared to a kg of rice requiring 2580 litres and CO² emissions for potatoes are 1205 grams of CO² per kg versus 2585 grams per kg for rice. Potatoes also require less land to grow – around 5kg can be produced in 1m² which is about a quarter of the area for equivalent in rice and much less than needed to produce a kilogram of legumes.
In 2024 in New Zealand, our registered growers produced more than 419,000 tonnes of potatoes from 8,500 hectares, predominantly in the growing areas of Canterbury, Pukekohe and Manawatu.
Critically, potato crops can grow in many climates and withstand the climate changes and challenges that we are facing here and around the world.
Traditional cereal crops are facing increasing threats from drought, heat, and pests as a result of climate changes but potatoes, with their relatively low water requirements and adaptability, are emerging as a more climate-resilient option.
Nutritional powerhouse
Deep-fried options aside, potatoes are an incredible source of essential nutrients and are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. Potatoes are also low in calories, high in fibre (when consumed with their skin) and a source of protein making them a valuable component of a balanced diet, especially in food-insecure areas where malnutrition is prevalent.
Potatoes are a starchy vegetable primarily composed of carbohydrates which (while unpopular with keto followers) serves as the body’s primary source of energy. This is what makes them exceptionally energy-dense, providing a substantial amount of calories per serving. Their overall macronutrient profile – with essential nutrients, a moderate amount of protein and naturally low in fat – makes them an efficient source of energy and a crucial dietary option for individuals in areas where food security is an issue and whose diets may be lacking in sufficient calories.
Accessible and affordable
The accessibility and affordability of potatoes are essential factors in their contribution to food security. Potatoes are less resource hungry than many other crops or animal-based protein sources, and so they are generally more affordable too, making them accessible to low-income households and communities.
The relative ease of cultivation across diverse environments makes them accessible to a wide number of growers with different land conditions.
Potatoes also store well, with a relatively long shelf life without requirements for refrigeration or special storage facilities during processing.
Potatoes are – and will continue to be – a critical contributor to food security for populations around the world. The role for New Zealand and our growers is to ensure we are keeping pace with research and innovations, so that our crops continue to be a critical source of nutrition for our local and export markets.
Researchers are currently developing new potato varieties that are even more tolerant of heat, drought, and saline soils, to expand potential cultivation areas and prepare for future climate changes.
We need to ensure we are across these developments, so our crops continue to thrive.