Spanish and French potato oversupply pushes July prices to €0.17–0.25/kg
Heavy imports and harvest delays in Spain and France have created a significant oversupply of potatoes, driving July 2026 prices down to €0.17–0.25/kg, well below production costs.
In Spain, potato producers in Valencia and Andalusia report a severe market crisis caused by both internal oversupply and strong import competition. Spanish growers have faced an influx of potatoes stored from France and fresh imports from countries such as Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Chile, Peru, Senegal, and New Zealand, significantly reducing demand for domestic potatoes and depressing prices across European markets.
Spanish farm organizations estimate that July 2026 farm-gate prices for potatoes are around €0.17 per kilogram in Valencia, while in Andalusia, transactions are currently closing at €0.20–0.25/kg. These levels are 40–50% below the average production cost, which is estimated at roughly €0.30/kg. At the start of the Spanish campaign, prices were higher (€0.40–0.45/kg), but the rapid concentration of harvests—delayed by persistent winter storms—has saturated the market, forcing some growers to leave crops unharvested or store them in cold rooms with uncertain future prospects.
The French potato market is also contributing to the oversupply. Large volumes of unsold potatoes from France remain in storage, adding pressure to both local and export markets throughout Europe. This excess supply limits export opportunities for Spanish producers and further depresses prices in key destination markets, including Poland.
The high level of potato imports from non-EU countries, especially from Egypt and Morocco, continues to influence market dynamics in Western and Central Europe. These imported potatoes are present on the market from the start of the season, lowering prices and intensifying competition with European growers. The situation has resulted in significant losses for producers in both Spain and France.
Weather conditions have played a key role in the current supply situation. In Spain, delayed sowing due to winter storms led to a simultaneous harvest, while in Italy, high temperatures have slowed potato growth and reduced yields in some areas. However, the main factor affecting the market remains the volume of potatoes available in storage and the continued influx of imports from non-European sources.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker