Europatat: The 2023 Season Will Exceptionally Result in a Shortage of Seed Potatoes

Members of Europatat have reported that potato seed planting has been delayed by four to five weeks or even longer in many European nations due to the cold weather and persistent rain. This will affect the harvesting dates and yield.

The potato seed area decrease is another obstacle for 2023, according to a recent Europatat press release. In a news statement, the North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG) anticipated that the reduction in seed area would be about 5,000 hectares, for the Netherlands and France together. Additionally, NEPG predicted that the potato seed area would decrease in Scotland, Belgium, and Germany. According to estimates, 7% less land in Europe is now used for cultivating potato seed than it was the year before.

“Europatat members anticipate that the 2023 season will exceptionally result in a shortage of seed potatoes not only in total volume (especially in seed sizes 28 -55 mm) but also regarding certain classes (E class, which is mostly required by importing countries) and varieties. This will lead to an overall limited supply. In particular, it will have an impact on overseas deliveries. Therefore, Europatat recommends to countries around the world that rely on the EU seed potatoes imports, to extend for this year the maximum size of traded seed potatoes from the current 55 mm to 60 mm. This will improve the availability of seed potatoes for export destinations,” the Europatat representatives declared.

High-quality planting material has long been produced and supplied to growers in Europe and abroad by the European seed potato industry. Seed potatoes are shipped by European exporters all over the world, helping to provide food security and a healthy diet.

The 2023 growing season was especially challenging for seed potato growers which undoubtedly will have an impact on deliveries for the coming export season (2023 -2024).

Different parts of Europe experienced unpredictable and unfavorable weather conditions that have adjusted the usual planting and harvesting schedule of seed potatoes. The EU’s Joint Research Center has provided regular reports on changing weather conditions and the impact on various crops.