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NW EUROPE POTATO-PLANTED AREA INCREASES AND RISE IN PRODUCTION ENVISAGED

Potato plants growing in fields in North West Europe

7% RISE IN POTATO OUTPUT LIKELY ACCORDING TO LATEST FORECAST

POTATO production in North-West Europe is likely to rise by around 7% as planted hectarage is increasing, according to forecasts by North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG).

Expana, the global provider of global commodity price data, forecasts, and market intelligence, has reported that more land is being used for potato growing in the Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium, than a year ago, and production in the 2024/25 growing year is likely to surpass the 22.7 million tonnes output seen in 2023/24.

The Expana Benchmark Price (EBP) for Dutch processing potatoes remains steady month-on-month at €150/mt, while the EBP for Belgian Fontane potatoes holds at €125/mt and is described as ‘stable’.

Over the course of the 2024 season, a shortage of seed drove up prices, and many growers had to rely on cut seed. Persistent and heavy rain during planting and summer meant that plantings were spread beyond a 10-week period, particularly in Belgium and the southern Netherlands. France and Germany were less affected.

Planting was generally carried out within poor soil conditions, with continual rainfall causing one of the worst late blight pressures seen in recent years. New or evolving strains of blight required different active treatment mixtures, leading to higher spraying costs and more treatments.

Photo: North Western Europe Potato Growers

LARGE POTATO HARVEST FORECAST IN GERMANY DESPITE CHALLENGING WEATHER
DECLINING PRODUCTION IN PERU
HIGHEST YIELDS IN THE WORLD

British Potato Review
Potato Review reports on new developments in all areas of crop production, storage, handling and packing, as well as scientific, technological and machinery innovations in the UK and overseas. We also keep readers abreast of consumer trends and legislation changes impacting on the industry.
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