Potato cultivation and storage in the 21st century.

摘要

The area of potatoes grown in Germany has fallen from 2 Mha in 1950 to 300 000 ha in 2000. In the same period average yields have increased from 200 dt/ha to 350dt. and consumption per head per year has fallen from over 150kg to a relatively stable70kg ' some 40% of which are now in processed form. Nearly all potatoes are bought ready packaged from discounters and supermarkets with a continuing fall in direct sales. The building of potato stores began in the 1930s and storage in home cellars is now rare. Climate controlled stores are steadily improving and their numbers are increasing. The number of farms growing potatoes is falling with production becoming more concentrated in specialized enterprises. On-going trends in the 21st century are expected to include a further drop in the consumption of fresh potatoes and an increase in processed ones, with most of the other current trends continuing.