Potato production down by at least 20% in mainland NEPG countries

The total harvest of ware potatoes in 4 of the 5 major countries for production in Europe is estimated to be at least 20% lower than last year, with a total of less than 20 million tonnes.

 

 

 

This is an estimate from the North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG). The figures for Great Britain are not yet available, so this estimate only concerns the other 4 countries comprising the NEPG at this stage.

 

 

 

Levies in the four continental countries (Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands) show yields ranging from 18 to 80 t / ha. The average yields measured in the four countries are the lowest observed for many years, and are 13.1% lower than the five-year average. Potato acreage increased by 1% this year to 595,587 hectares.

 

 

 

Total volumes produced are down but tuber sizes are also lower. The main quality problem reported this year is the regrowth phenomenon, with second generation tubers. Several varieties are affected, which will cause difficulties for producers, traders and manufacturers, and additional costs for sorting (washing, salt bath, ...) and valuation (process in the factory, ...) of all problem lots. As a result, NEPG estimates that the final crop that is ideally suited for processing and the fresh market will be much smaller than the overall production figure, and could reach a 10-year low.