Germany faces significant decline in potato harvests

Germany is facing a significant decline in potato harvests due to adverse weather and reduced cultivation areas. In Bavaria, the harvest fell to approximately 1.2 million tons, a 36.2 percent decrease compared to the previous year and a 26.4 percent drop from the 2020–2025 average.

Factors contributing to the lower yields include extreme heat starting in late June, water shortages, and pests such as the reed grass cicada, which transmits plant diseases. Additionally, the cultivation area in Bavaria decreased by 4 percent, though starch potato acreage saw an increase.

Nationally, the German potato harvest is expected to drop from around 13.9 million tons in 2025 to an estimated 10.4 million tons in 2026. While the lower supply has driven producer prices up—with Bavarian prices for firm potatoes rising from 12.10 euros to 29.20 euros per 100 kg—industry experts urge a measured view of the market to avoid premature claims of supply shortages.