The 15th China International Potato Expo and the 3rd Weifang International Food and Agricultural Products Expo commenced on Monday in Weifang, Shandong province, spotlighting the potato industry’s critical role in global food security and economic development. The event, which attracted participants from 26 countries and regions, including the Netherlands, Peru, Russia, South Korea, and Brazil, emphasized the crop’s significance beyond its status as a staple food.
In his opening remarks, Tao Huaiying, China’s national chief veterinary officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, highlighted the potato industry’s dual role in ensuring food security and boosting farmers’ incomes. He noted that China, a leading producer of diverse potato varieties such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava, is pivotal in addressing global food challenges. Tao called for enhanced international collaboration in key technological areas, including bio-breeding, smart agriculture, and green farming, to optimize resource allocation and extend industrial chains.
Zhang Hongqi, director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, underscored Shandong’s prominence in the potato sector, producing over 7 million metric tons annually and processing approximately 5.5 million tons of potatoes and sweet potatoes. He highlighted the region’s innovative approach, transforming a single sweet potato into more than 40 products, thereby creating added value at multiple stages.
Carlos Aldeco, a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in China, emphasized the expo’s broader significance as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and partnership. He pointed out that the global agri-food system faces urgent challenges from climate change, conflicts, economic shocks, and demographic transitions, making such events crucial for fostering sustainable solutions.
The expo not only showcased potatoes and agricultural products but also served as a hub for global agricultural exchange, reinforcing the potato’s role as a vital contributor to food security, livelihoods, and sustainability worldwide.