The annual demand for potatoes in Bolivia's domestic market is 5 million tons, but only 1,1 million tons of tubers are grown in the country. The remaining volume of potatoes is imported (mainly from Peru) or smuggled into the country.
It is noted that in 2018, the cost of 25 pounds (approximately 11,4 kg) of local potato arroba fell from 100 boliviano ($ 14,5) to 40 boliviano ($ 5,8), which could lead to an even greater reduction in production. Local farmers prefer to grow commercial Dutch potato varieties used in French fries, although locally grown tubers are popular in European and Asian markets.
Potatoes are one of the most consumed crops in Bolivia, with chicken and fries being the most common daily meal. On average, every citizen of the country eats 90-100 kg of potatoes annually. The area of cultivation of root crops is 200 thousand hectares.
Earlier, FruitNews reported that the Ministry of Agriculture of Bolivia, together with the National Institute for Forestry and Agriculture Research (INIAF), will support potato producers to compete with imported potatoes from Peru /
Source: https://fruitnews.ru