According to a field study conducted by the UNPT on behalf of the CNIPT, the French areas intended for ware potatoes production (fresh, industry) would see a 1% rebound in 2022 or 1,480 ha more than in 2021.

It is a watershed moment that demonstrates a positive dynamic, but it will not be enough to compensate for the decline in surface areas recorded between 2021 and 2020, as the sector prepares for the 2023 campaign amid unprecedented tensions.

According to the UNPT panel of producers interviewed in the main production regions (NordPas-de-Calais, Picardie, Centre-Val de Loire, Haute Normandie, and Champagne-Ardenne), supplemented by Agreste estimates for the other regions, conservation potato sowings would amount to 152,520 ha in 2022, up from 151,040 ha in 2021, a 1.0% increase in surface area (1,480 ha).

This positive momentum remains, despite everything, after the 3.0% decline in the surface area observed between 2021 and 2020, a sign that the uncontrolled increase in charges, market instability in certain segments, and a delicate climatology for several years have certainly led to a slowdown in promising initial dynamics of producers in 2022.

“Will it be the same for 2023? In detail, the most significant increases in surface area concern the Hauts-de-France region (Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie) with +1,820 ha and can be explained by the very strong demand for the French and foreign processing industry (chips, fries, etc.) and possible transfers of areas initially intended for the “starch” potato to the “industrial” potato. The Hauts-de-France thus retains its rank as the leading producer of potatoes for conservation with nearly 63% of French surfaces counted,” the UNPT experts mentioned.

The most notable drop concerns the Champagne-Ardenne region (-700 ha), the second region of French production, which is visibly suffering from the economic difficulties encountered in the fresh potatoes market. Upper Normandy and Centre-Val de Loire are globally stable. For the evaluation of yield and production, it will be necessary to follow the evolution of the meteorological conditions, especially the consequences of the extreme heat episode of July 18 and 19, as well as the results of the plot samples taken by the UNPT this summer.