Despite the drought in 2018, the first place when it comes to the potato harvest in Europe goes to Germany with around 8.9m tons, writes BZfE. According to the report, every German consumed 60.4kg of potatoes in 2017/18. At the same time, it was revealed that consumption of fresh cooked potatoes has decreased while the consumption of finished potato products has increased.

In Germany, around 27,540 farms grew potatoes to over 250,200 hectares, of which more than two-thirds accounted for table potatoes. About 20% were starch potatoes and the rest seed potatoes. According to the Federal Statistical Office, Lower Saxony is the largest potato producing county, followed by Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. Three quarters of the German acreage accounted for these three federal states. However, due to the drought, the harvest volume fell by 24% in 2018 compared to the previous year.

In the EU, Germany is also the leader in organic potato production. In 2018 the acreage amounted to 8,976 ha, which is 32% of the EU’s total area of 28,300 ha of organic potatoes.

The report also revealed that half of German households opt for firm-cooking varieties such as Gala and Agria, closely followed by hard-boiled varieties such as Belena. Only about 10% resort to floury varieties like Amanda or Karlena. This may be because predominantly firm-cooking varieties are versatile and can be utilized whether as a side dish, in casseroles or soups, but also as baked or fried.