European Potato Growers to Face Reduced Yields Compared to 2023
A recent Expana analysis projects a European potato harvest of 20.7m tonnes in 2024, which is 8.8% less than the quantity lifted in 2023. This estimate was calculated using August yield data from the EU Commission and preliminary hectarage figures from NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers).
“The NEPG anticipates a 4-6% year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in potato hectarage for 2024. However, unfavorable wet weather conditions and increased disease prevalence in the NEPG region have adversely affected potato crop growth and yields. In August, the EU Commission maintained its 2024 harvest yield forecast at 35.1 tonnes per hectare for the EU, which is 4.6% lower than the 2023 harvest yield of 36.8 tonnes per hectare and 1% below the 5-year average. Belgium and The Netherlands were the worst affected by wet weather during plantings earlier in the year, with yield declines of 11% and 6% respectively y-o-y. Meanwhile, yields in France are forecast down 4% y-o-y, and in Germany, they are expected to decrease by 2% y-o-y compared to the 2023 EU commission yield figures,” the Expana analysis shows.
In Spain and Portugal, potato crops remain in average condition thanks to irrigation, despite the high temperatures.
According to reports from market players, overall, they anticipate improved potato availability for the entire 2024–2025 market year (MY). The typically dry harvest conditions have produced good-shaped potatoes, storable throughout the MY, unlike spuds gathered under wet conditions in 2023, despite a lower production projection.
