Article courtesy of Cedric Porter, World Potato Markets
There is some evidence that an Olympics can add to demand for potatoes and frozen fries. The last Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, took place in during the Covid crisis in 2021 with spectators banned. There was an increase in imports of potato products in the three months before the games compared to the year before, but that was because trade was so impacted in the May to July period in 2020.
Perhaps the greatest evidence of a potato bounce from the games came in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Imports of fresh potatoes into Brazil rose by 2520% to 104,978 tonnes in the three months before the Games compared to the same three months in 2015. Imports of frozen fries were up 15.3% to 117,826 tonnes in the three months running up to the Games.
There was no increase in fry imports in the run up to the London, UK Olympics, with trade down 1.4% in the three months before the games. However, imports of fresh potatoes were up 31.2% to 104,978 tonnes. In The Beijing Olympics in 2008, fry imports rose by 15.2% in the May to July period in 2008 compared to the year before. There was also a 4.0% increase in fry imports in Greece before the 2004 games, while fresh potato imports fell by 62.2%.
Potatoes can be a key part of an athletes training regime – whether they are an Olympian or a weekend runner with good intentions. Potatoes USA has developed Team Potato a community of athletes of all levels that fuel their performance with potatoes. They highlight what is good about potatoes for athletes:
Potatoes are a nutrient-dense vegetable that provide the energy, potassium, and vitamin C you need to perform your best. Potatoes are a real food with surprising performance-related benefits. Whether you lead an active lifestyle or compete with elite athletes, potatoes help fuel you.
Here’s how:
- 26g (9% daily value) of quality carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel for the body and brain.
- Good source of potassium. Potatoes contain 620mg (15% daily value) of potassium which is more potassium than a banana. Potassium is essential for muscle functioning.
- Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, providing 30% of the daily value. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system and aids in collagen production, a major muscle tissue component.
- Potatoes have 3 grams of plant-based protein. Protein is a key component of muscle and an important nutrient for performance.
- Potatoes have 2 grams of fibre (7% daily value). Fibre helps regulate blood glucose and increases satiety, making you feel full longer.
- 110 Calories for Energy: Easily digestible and more energy-dense than any other popular vegetables.
You can join Team Potato at https://potatogoodness.com/performance/ which also includes a link to a Potato Power Recipe Book.
