Introduction & Importance
Potato is one of the broadly cultivated crops of Pakistan. The geographical distribution of Potato cultivation has been widely spread from plains of Punjab to slopes of Karakurum. Likewise potato crop season run throughout the year and supply of fresh potato comprehensively meets the nation’s demands and being export worldwide.
However during few off season months, potatoes from cold storages replenish the exhausting fresh supplies. Potato contains rich nutritional value because of carbohydrates. Potato snacks industries is gaining wide acceptance throughout the country. A few varieties being cultivated in Pakistan are Cardinal, few varieties being cultivated in Pakistan are Cardinal, Desiry, Faisalabad, White, Red, Lal Faisal etc.
Seasons:
Potatoes have three growing seasons in Pakistan, Spring, Summer and Autumn. In Spring season, potato is planted in January-February and harvested in month of April-May. In summer, planting is done in March-May and harvested in August-October and In Autumn, potatoes planting is done in September-October and harvest in January-February. Share of potato crop in annual production of spring, summer and autumn is estimated to 10, 15 and 75 per cent, respectively.
| Season | Planted | Harvested | Shares annually % |
| Spring | January-February | April-May | 10 |
| Summer | March-May | August-October | 15 |
| Autumn | September-October | January-February | 75 |
Varieties:
| 1. | Constance | 8. | Arizona |
| 2. | Vogue | 9. | Riviera |
| 3. | Kuroda | 10. | Corazon |
| 4. | Esmee | 11. | Meryem |
| 5. | Rudolph | 12. | Alouette |
| 6. | Sante | 13. | Lady Rosetta Potatoes |
| 7. | Mozika Potatoes | ||
Production Area:
Punjab: Okara, Depalpur, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Basirpur, Arifwala, Daska, Kasur, Gujranwala, shiekhupura.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Nowshera, Mardan, Sawabi, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Swat.
Baluchistan: Kalat, Pishin, Ziarat, Kila Shifullah, Loralai, Quetta
Importing countries:
Fresh or chilled potatoes (excluding seed) imported by Afghanistan, UAE, Russian Federation, Qatar, Malaysia, Oman, Bahrain, Kazakhstan and Kuwait during last few years.