Potato production in NW Europe projected to fall 25%

Potato production in North-Western Europe is facing a significant downturn. The North-Western European Potato Growers Foundation (NEPG) forecasts that production in the EU-04 region—comprising Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany—will drop by 25.4% in 2026 compared to 2025.

This decline is driven by a historical reduction in cultivated area, which fell by 13.7% (approximately 82,700 hectares) during the spring 2026 planting season. Additionally, drought conditions and irrigation restrictions have negatively impacted the size and length of the tubers, leading to a shorter harvest season and reduced raw material availability.