Poland's Agriculture Ministry tackles 2025 potato surplus with loans and promotional aid

Polish harvests in 2025 produced about 7 million tons of potatoes, roughly 18 % more than in 2024 and exceeding domestic consumption of about 6 million tons. The resulting surplus of up to 1 million tons pushed market prices down. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MRiRW) responded by organising talks with processors and retail chains, which promoted the excess potatoes through advertising and price cuts, helping partially clear the market.

The ministry also highlighted a financial support scheme: the National Agricultural Support Centre (KOWR) can grant preferential loans of up to PLN 5 million per farm at a 2 % interest rate for up to five years. The loans may cover costs of purchase, storage, processing, settling supplier debts and servicing existing credit or leasing obligations, aiming to sustain farm liquidity amid the surplus.

Farmers have also called for direct subsidies for unsold potatoes, but the ministry emphasises the loan programme as the primary aid instrument.