Potato Production in Northwestern Europe to Hit 27.3m in 2019 - NEPG

NEPG – the association that brings together potato producers from northwestern Europe (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom) has revealed it expects potato production in 2019 to amount between 27 and 27.3m tons. According to the press release, it’s a volume that’s 3% higher than the 5-year average and 12% higher than last year.

The increase in production is said to be due to an expansion of the crop’s acreage in 2018. All NEPG countries, except the UK, reportedly planted more potatoes. France exceeded the average area of the past 5 years by 14%.

In the five countries, the average yield is currently estimated at 44.7 tons/ha, compared to the average of 47.1 tons/ha of the past five years. Last year, the average was of 40.9 tones/ha due to the lack of rainfall.

Due to lack of irrigation systems, as well as less rainfall, it’s Belgium which brings the lowest yields. NEPG also noted that there are huge differences in the five countries depending on the variety and location. The areas with low irrigation opportunities have recorded the lowest yields.

Regarding prices, the association hopes to see an increase in the coming weeks. Since the first days of summer, a rising demand for raw material from the processing industry has been registered.