Farmers collect potatoes in the field in the Saibei Administration Area in Zhangjiakou City, north China's Hebei Province. The Sabei area, which has about 50,000 mu (about 3,333 hectares) of potato field, is expected to yield more than 100,000 metric tons of potatoes. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

China has become the world’s largest potato producer, accounting for nearly a quarter of the global production.

China plants more than 5.5 million hectares of potatoes every year, according to data provided by World Potato Congress.

World Potato Congress was held in Beijing’s Yanqing county on Tuesday. More than 1,000 delegates, from developing and developed countries, including growers, researchers, producers, traders, processors and manufacturers attended the conference.

On the same day, the International Potato Center launched its Asia-Pacific center in Beijing, which will bring new opportunities for the potato industry in China and the Asia Pacific region. As China’s first international agricultural research institute, the center marks China's expanding opening up and international cooperation in agriculture.

With increased potato production and domestic consumption, China is also the biggest potato consumer in the world.