Seed potato production across six key European countries has expanded sharply in 2025, reaching a combined 106,864 hectares, according to data from the Fédération Nationale des Producteurs de Plants de Pomme de Terre (FN3PT). The figure represents an increase of 9,297 hectares compared with 2024, a year-on-year rise of 9.5%.

The Netherlands, France and Germany continue to dominate the market, together accounting for 80% of the total planted area. FN3PT data show that demand for varieties destined for industrial processing — such as those used in French fry production — and for export markets is driving the bulk of the expansion.

Growth in these categories underscores the strategic role seed potatoes play in the wider European potato sector. By concentrating on both high-value processing types and open varieties suited for international trade, the industry is responding to evolving market pressures and maintaining its relevance in global food supply chains.

Industry analysts note that the trend reflects the sector’s capacity to adapt quickly to shifts in consumer demand and trade flows, as well as the importance of safeguarding food security within the EU.