Evaluating Progress of Indian Potato Processing Industry: an Updated Review

The potato processing sector contributes immensely towards global food security. Growing urbanisation and consumers’ shift to convenient ready-to-eat foods have led to tremendous growth in the Indian potato processing sector, particularly with French fries being one of the largest selling food items. India is the major producer of potato in the world, but only 7% of total produce is processed (compared to industrialised countries, this percentage is over 80). Recent trends in changing food consumption habits worldwide indicate that the Indian potato processing industry has potential scope for further expansion. The impediments to take forward the processing industry include technical factors (poor quality seed; lack of scientific knowledge for developing new varieties; impact of diseases like late blight) and natural resources (decreasing water tables, erratic rainfall and changing weather conditions). The major challenge confronting the industry lies is in the continuous supply of quality raw material. The review addresses the challenges and identifies aspects for improvement and development of sustainable potato processing industry.