Chip Week 2013 – facts and figures

Interesting facts and figures about chips and potatoes:

1.6 million tonnes

33,664 hectares The land required to grow potatoes for chips is 33,664 hectares - enough to fill London's Hyde Park 237 times, or 47,000 Wembley football pitches.

A survey of 1,000 adults shows "chip shop chips" are the nation's favourite chips, with nearly half (45%) of all respondents putting them first, followed by French fries (16%), oven chips (14%), potato wedges (8%) crinkle cut chips (7%) and curly fries (7%).

The survey also shows that where we live affects our chip choices. People in the South prefer salt and vinegar on their chips; the Scots are more likely than people in any other region to choose a portion of curly fries. People in the Midlands have a fondness for curry sauce and cheese with their chips; the Welsh are more likely than people in other regions to eat their chips straight from the oven; and a quarter of Londoners favour the French fry.