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Potatoes, as a crucial crop for future food security, face challenges due to environmental externalities throughout their production process, which may impede the industry's environmental and economic sustainability. However, knowledge gaps persist regarding the integrated environmental-economic performance of potato production systems. This study aims to (1) construct the linkages among potato agronomic activities, pollution emissions, environmental impacts, and economic input and output, (2) evaluate the environmental-economic burden flows of potato production across 26 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020, (3) explore the spatiotemporal variation of environmental–economic performance, and (4) provide feasible recommendation for sustainable potato production. This study developed an integrated life cycle environmental-economic assessment framework that combines life cycle environmental impact assessment, economic assessment, and life cycle costing methods. Chinese status quo (e.g., temperature, precipitation, population, life expectancy, geographic location, and resource conditions) and field remediation projects were considered. The results reveal that in 2020, the external costs associated with potato production amounted to $3.3 billion, constituting 17.2% of the total costs (including actual and external costs). Predominantly, these external costs are predominantly attributable to the global warming impact, with an estimated 172.1 kg CO 2 eq per ton of potatoes produced. Accounting for external costs, the profitability of potato production is projected to decrease by 35.7%. Targeted reduction in fertilizer and electricity inputs could mitigate external costs by 1.5 and 2 times, respectively. Although the potential exists for sustainability improvements, our analysis indicates current potato production has environmental-economic merits compared with major crops. Consuming 100 g of cooked potatoes can help avoid approximately 1.29 min of health damage. Temporal variations highlight a positive trend in potato production in China, wherein a harmonious balance between economic development and environmental protection is observed. Nonetheless, regional disparities in environmental-economic performance are evident, with high-output areas primarily concentrated in the central region (between 100°E and 110°E), yet seldom achieving high efficiency. This study underscores the importance of leveraging the potential of potato production in regions like Shanxi, Shandong, and the Yangtze River basin to enhance overall environmental-economic sustainability in the potato industry and foster sustainable agricultural development in China. [Display omitted] • A life cycle environmental–economic assessment of potato production is conducted. • Environmental burden of potato production potentially reduces profitability by 36%. • Reducing input in fertilizer use yields environmental benefits by 1.5 times. • Eating potato has environmental–economy–nutrition benefits compared to staple foods. • Energy utilization of potato straw has environmental–economic synergistic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]