Certified seed potato imports from Scotland could once again be available to Irish growers from 2026 under a new Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement reached between the UK and the European Commission, according to Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) potato committee chairperson Sean Ryan.

“This will be part of an over-arching agreement between the UK and the European Commission,” Ryan said. “No final timings have been arrived at with regard to the introduction of the new measures. However, it is hoped that everything will be in place to allow the importation of certified seed potatoes from Scotland in time for the 2026 growing season.”

Ryan and IFA potato committee vice-chair Niamh Brennan travelled to Brussels at the end of 2024 to discuss the issue with Irish MEPs and European Commission officials. “The role played by our MEPs in getting this deal over the line was extremely significant,” Ryan noted in comments to Agriland.

The development will provide Irish growers with additional time to strengthen domestic production of seed potatoes needed to maintain the country’s overall potato acreage.

Early Harvest and Steady Supply Outlook

Meanwhile, Ryan reported that Irish potato crops are progressing well, with recent warm weather accelerating growth stages. “We could well be looking at an early start to the 2025 harvest,” he said. Earlier concerns over moisture stress in non-irrigated crops have eased following widespread rainfall.

“Blight levels have been reasonably low up to this point. But growers must maintain their spraying programmes,” Ryan warned. “There is absolutely no room for complacency where the threat of blight is concerned.”

The IFA has also confirmed that Irish potato supplies are coming through in significant quantities, meeting domestic market needs for both old and new season varieties. “There are enough old season and new season varieties to supply the market,” Ryan said, highlighting ongoing discussions with Ireland’s major retailers.

Figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine show the area planted with main crop potatoes in 2025 has dropped by approximately 2,000 acres compared to 2024. However, Ryan pointed out that last year’s acreage was unusually high. “We have come back to a more normal planting figure of around 22,000 acres. This means that Irish potato supply will be in line with expected demand over the coming months,” he said.

The IFA plans to meet with supermarket representatives ahead of the 2025 harvest to secure favourable returns for growers.

European Market Dynamics

Across Europe, high temperatures and persistent drought continue to challenge potato production, but observers say it is too early for a negative outlook. Yields in irrigated fields are reported at 40–44 tonnes per hectare, dropping to 30 tonnes per hectare on unirrigated sites.

In the UK, demand for old crop white varieties remains strong as stocks tighten. Meanwhile, new crops are arriving from southern Europe and have begun to enter markets in Belgium and Germany.

Retail sales and home consumption of potatoes in Ireland have softened, except for salad varieties, as many consumers travel abroad during the holiday period. Demand from the foodservice sector is reported as steady, with expectations of improvement in the weeks ahead.