Potatoes were not initially grown in europe; however, they became a staple part of the european diet by the end of the eighteenth century. which two factors were responsible for this change in diet? the introduction of a new variety of seeds the growth of potatoes. large quantities of potatoes were imported by europe as a result of the columbian exchange. potatoes improved the european diet nutritionally. farmers in europe refused to grow other crops, such as rice. potatoes were exported to the americas in the seventeenth century.