The 13th China Potato Expo and the International Potato and Sweetpotato Industry Development Summit were held in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province in late October 2023. Vice Minister Ma Youxiang addressed the event.  

Vice Minister Ma stated that as important staple crops, cash crops, and forage crops, potatoes play a crucial role in ensuring global food security. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the potato industry and has intensified policy support for it. China has pushed forward the development along the industrial chain of potatoes, including R&D, production, processing, storage, transportation, and sale, increasing the innovative capacity of China’s potato industry and its global competitiveness.   

Vice Minister Ma pointed out that thanks to the efforts over more than a decade, the China Potato Expo has emerged as the largest potato expo in Asia, serving as a major platform for propelling international cooperation in potatoes and identifying more development opportunities. He suggested that the domestic and international potato industries should make full use of this platform to 1) enhance exchanges on technology and expedite the transformation and upgrading of the potato industry; 2) boost trade and investment and ensure smooth and stable supply chains; and 3) promote brand development and translate resources, production, and technology strengths into brand value.  

The Agricultural Trade Promotion Center of MARA sponsored the Expo while the International Potato Center (CIP) and other institutions joined the Center in co-sponsoring the Summit. Chen Ping, Vice Governor of Shandong Province, attended the events along with envoys of relevant countries and representatives from international organizations and China’s major potato-producing areas. The Expo attracted over 500 domestic and foreign exhibitors.  

Vice Minister Ma met with Simon Heck, Director General of CIP prior to the opening ceremony of the Summit.