Western Europe cuts potato acreage by 11%; contract prices at €125/t

Potato growers in Western Europe have reduced planted area by approximately 11% for the 2026 season, with contract prices for processing potatoes reported at €125 per tonne.

The total area planted with ware and processing potatoes in the main NEPG countries (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany) has dropped from about 604,100 hectares to 536,900 hectares in 2026, a reduction of nearly 67,000 hectares or 11%. The largest decrease was in Belgium (down 16.6%), followed by the Netherlands (down 15.1%) and France (down 9.7%). This reduction was driven by the previous season's extremely low farm-gate prices, which were reported at just €0–2 per 100 kg for many months.

Contract prices offered by processors for the 2026 harvest in Western Europe are around €12.50 per 100 kg (€125 per tonne) for potatoes collected directly from the field. Growers' organizations note these prices are not sufficient to cover rising production costs, including fertilizer, fuel, energy, and machinery.

In Spain, the early potato harvest has begun in Castilla y León, with more than 1,000 hectares under cultivation by leading companies. The sector is emphasizing sustainability, improved water use, and digitalization to increase efficiency and maintain supply to the domestic and export markets.

On the import side, Egypt became the leading exporter of potatoes to Ukraine in the first five months of 2026, supplying 25.8% of Ukraine’s total potato imports, ahead of Azerbaijan (19%) and Poland (16.6%). For comparison, in 2025, Poland was Ukraine’s top supplier with 37.1%, but its share has dropped in the current year, increasing competition for Polish potatoes in Eastern European markets.

In Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, the focus remains on early and high-quality potatoes, with local projects supporting innovation in irrigation and varietal selection to adapt to changing climate and market demands. Weather conditions in Western Europe remain a key factor for the final 2026 potato yield.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker