International Day of the Potato

On May 29th, 2026, from 11:00 -13:00  a Cooking demonstration hosted by the Government of Peru and Spain will be held at the FAO headquarters (Food lab). Moderator: José Carlos Capel, journalist, food critic and President of Madrid Fusión AGENDA PROGRAMME 11:00–11:10 Opening remarks Manuel José Antonio Cacho Sousa Velázquez, Ambassador of Peru to Italy 11:10 – 11:20 Video message Máximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist 11:20 – 12:30 Presentation on the history of the Spanish potato omelette accompanied by a Spanish and Peruvian cooking show centered on potatoes José Carlos Capel, journalist, food critic, and President of Madrid Fusión 12:30 – 12:50 Tasting of Spanish potato omelette and Peruvian carapulcra All 12:50 – 13:00 Closing remarks Fernando Miranda, Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain to FAO  

  The third International Day of Potato will be observed on 29 May 2026 (as 30 May falls on a Saturday) under the theme Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish . The theme positions the role of potatoes in strengthening livelihoods for farmers and value chain actors —from the highlands of the Andes to Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond. By advancing potato farming and value chain development , the crop contributes to poverty reduction, resilience and more inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems .

The third observance of the International Day of Potato, will be held on 30 May 2026, under the theme Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish emphasizes the role of potatoes in strengthening livelihoods for farmers and value chain actors from the highlands of the Andes to Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond. By advancing potato farming and value chain development, the crop contributes to poverty reduction, resilience and more inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems. Join us on Friday, 29 May 2026 (as 30 May falls on a Saturday), for the main global event hosted in the Kingdom of Lesotho and a complementary event at FAO headquarters, championed by the Government of Peru and Spain in collaboration with other Members. Additionally, from 29 May to 5 June, visit the Journey of the Potato exhibition at the FAO Museum close to the Food lab and explore the global journey of the potato spanning 8 000 years and tracing the potato’s roots to its birthplace near Lake Titicaca in the Andes Mount...

 The potato is one of humanity’s most important and universally loved staple foods.  Potatoes are important for #GlobalGoals like zero hunger, sustainable agriculture and economic growth.  UN Geneva . Share your favorite potato dish in comments or use the hashtags: #InternationalDayOfPotato  to follow the converstions.

In 2025: The International Day of Potato  theme  'Shaping history, feeding the future' acknowledges the potato’s deep historical and cultural significance and its evolving role in today's global agrifood systems . The potato represents one of the most important contributions of the Andean region to the entire world , as it is one of the five main food crops consumed in the world, contributing to food security . There are more than 4,500 varieties of native potatoes , mostly found in the Andes. They come in many sizes and shapes.Each of these varieties fit into one of seven potato type categories: russet , red , white , yellow , blue/purple , fingerling , and petite . Small-scale and family farming production of the potato , particularly by rural farmers, including women farmers, supports efforts to reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty, and achieve food security, and relies on and contributes greatly to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Eaten by over one billion people , the potato is the third most available food crop globally – after rice and wheat, making it a crucial staple. And today for the first time, it was celebrated with its very own International Day, as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partners highlighted the potato’s significance and called for more investments to tap into its full potential. “The potato has been the most important lifesaving, staple food and nutritious vegetable in the world,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said in a video message to mark the event, under the theme of “Harvesting diversity, feeding hope”. Qu added that in Europe, the increase of potato production after the 16th century following Christopher Colombus’ return from the Americas with the potato, which originated in the Andes, has impacted food security dramatically. Participants in a high-level event at FAO’s headquarters to mark the day included Angel Manuel Manero Campos, Minister of A...

Creamers are a small type of thin-skinned potato known for it’s creamy texture and buttery flavor. They’re often confused for “new” potatoes, which are harvested before they’re fully grown. Creamer potatoes are fully mature, despite their small size. Use them anywhere that calls for a small potato or take advantage of their tiny size and cook them whole. Type: Waxy Best for: Roasting, boiling, pan-frying Creamer Potato Recipes: Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bites . Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes . Crash Hot Potatoes . Herb Garden Potatoes with Fresh Spinach & Lemon .

This common potato is known for its thin skin that doesn’t need to be peeled . Yukons can do it all. They’re medium-sized with creamy, yellow flesh that’s in between starchy and waxy . Just about anywhere you need a potato, you can use a Yukon gold. Type: All-purpose. Best for: Whatever you like, they’re kitchen workhorses. Yukon Gold Potato Recipes: Fried Potatoes and Sausage Skillet . Classic Potato Salad . Chicken Potato Soup . Greek Lemon Potatoes .

These smallish oblong potatoes have very dark purple skin and flesh , which is both moist and firm. They retain their color when cooked and are known for being high in antioxidants. Type: All-purpose Best for: Roasting, baking, soup, deep-frying, pan-frying Purple Majesty Potato Recipes: Mixed New Potato Salad with Sweet Basil and Shallots Potato Salad with Yogurt, Arugula, and Dill

Also known as Red Bliss , these versatile medium-sized red-skinned potatoes have golden flesh and a smooth, moist texture . Their thin skins and ability to hold their shape well then cooking make them a kitchen favorite for a wide variety of preparations. Type: All-purpose Best for: Baking, boiling, roasting, mashing, potato salad Red Potato Recipes: 3-Ingredient Garlicky Red Potatoes . Extra-Garlicky Mashed Red Potatoes . Sheet Pan Home Fries . Southern Smashed Potato Salad . Au Gratin Potatoes .

Despite their small size , these little potatoes are actually fully grown. These small oblong potatoes have an earthy, nutty flavor with thin skin that does not require peeling . While they come in a number of varieties (some of which are highlighted below) they’re always waxy. They’re better for roasting whole than using in a mash. Type: Waxy Best for: Roasting, pan-frying, potato salad. Fingerling Potato Recipes: Garlic Butter Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Nicoise Salad Crispy Salt & Vinegar Potatoes Garlic Butter Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Japanese sweet potatoes have pink or purple skin with yellow or white flesh that’s a bit drier, but also slightly creamier than the typical orange-colored varieties. Its flavor is sweet and nutty. You can use them in many of the same ways you would an orange sweet potato. Type: Starchy Best for: Steaming, grilling, baking Japanese Sweet Potato Recipes: Sweet Potato Hash with Caramelized Onions, Sausage & Eggs No-Knead Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls Morning Glory Sweet Potato Muffins

Sweet potatoes and yams are not the same, however, the orange sweet potato — which is also known as a jewel yam, is in fact a type of sweet potato, with a bit of a naming mix up. The misnomer happened via a campaign by Louisiana farmers in the 1930s to market a new sweet potato with orange flesh as a “yam.” These very common market sweet potatoes have a high water content and a subtly sweet flavor. Type: Starchy Best for: Baking, soup, pies Jewel Yam Recipes: Sweet Potato Soup with Miso and Ginger Sweet Potato Pie Baked Sweet Potatoes

Say “potato” and most people will think of Russet potatoes, also commonly referred to as Idaho potatoes. They are typically quite large with rough brown skin. Most of your french fries are made with this faithful standby. The starch makes fries fluffy on the inside, but crispy on the outside. Type: Starchy Best for: Baking, frying, mashing Russet Potato Recipes: Perfect Mashed Potatoes Scalloped Potatoes Shoestring Fries

There are three main types of potatoes to choose from at the store: starchy, waxy, and those in between (which are referred to as “all-purpose”). The trick is knowing which potato works best when. Starchy potatoes are great for baking, frying, and mashing. Because of their starch, they don’t hold together very well when cooked, but they are are fluffy and absorbent. Waxy potatoes have a smooth, waxy texture so they hold their shape while cooking. They’re good for boiling, roasting, and slicing and work well in dishes like soups, stews, and salads. “All-purpose” potatoes have a less starch than starchy potatoes, but not so much that they completely fall apart when cooked. They will work for most potato dishes. Consider these your kitchen potato standby.

 Resolution  A/RES/78/123 The General Assembly,  Reaffirming its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner, and to building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking to address their unfinished business, Reaffirming also its resolution 53/199 of 15 December 1998 and Resolution 61/185 of 20 Decem...