North-Western Europe potato harvests face major decline

Potato production in North-Western Europe is projected to face a significant decline in 2026 due to extreme summer heat, drought, and reduced cultivation areas. Estimates from the North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) and Energy & Co suggest that production in Belgium, Germany, France, and the Netherlands could drop to approximately 20.695 million tonnes, representing a 25.4% decrease compared to 2025.

Germany is expected to experience the largest impact, with a projected loss of 1.13 million tonnes. The total production deficit across the four nations is estimated to be around 3.11 million tonnes below the five-year average, with economic losses valued between 405 and 622 million euros.

In addition to lower volumes, the quality of the harvest is expected to suffer. High temperatures have resulted in smaller tuber sizes and lengths, which may create challenges for the food processing industry. These supply constraints are expected to drive significant price increases; for instance, consumer potato prices in Germany could rise from 150 euros per tonne last year to between 270 and 280 euros per tonne.