Potato bosses undertook a trade mission to China in a bid to encourage international co-operation and knowledge sharing.

Delegates from the British Potato Council met with Chinese ministers and potato technicians to discuss processing and production techniques.

China, the world’s largest potato producer, is expected to demand a further 12 million tonnes of the crop each year for processing and UK potato specialists are therefore being presented with a wealth of business opportunities, from collaborating on seed production schemes to training, crop handling and storage methods.

One attendee was David Higgins, managing director of potato supplier Higgins Group, who said: “The relaxation of trade restrictions with China presents a tremendous opportunity.

“I was very happy to contribute information on potato production in the UK and to have the opportunity to evaluate the developing industry in China at first hand.”