Band 9: The tables below provide information about the consumption and production of potatoes in five parts of the world in 2006. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant

The supplied tables illustrate the per capita quantity of potatoes consumed and their production across five different continents in 2006.

Overall, although Asia was a major producer of potatoes, the average consumption was relatively minimal. Meanwhile, Europe was the second-largest producer of this agricultural product, yet its citizens consumed the most.

In terms of potato consumption, Europeans ate an average of 96.1 kg in 2006, significantly higher than North America’s 57.9 kg. Other regions’ consumption figures lagged far behind, with Asia at only 25.8 kg and South and Central America at 23.6 kg. Additionally, Africa had the lowest potato consumption, at just 14.1 kg.

Turning to potato production, the highest output was recorded in Asia, with 131.2 million tonnes, followed closely by Europe at 127.3 million tonnes. In contrast, North America produced a significantly lower quantity, with only 2.7 million tonnes in 2006. The lowest production figures were observed in Africa and South and Central America, which produced only 16.4 million tonnes and 15.6 million tonnes, respectively.