NEPG releases the 2022/23 planted potato area estimates

July 5, 2022

2 mins read

According to preliminary estimates by the North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) association, total potato area in the EU-04 zone (Belgium, Germany, France & the Netherlands) has risen by 2.0% year-on-year (y-o-y) in 2022, reaching 507.3 ha. The figure includes all potato plantings for consumption. This is an increase of 0.9% compared to the previous 5-year average, but a decline of 2.9% compared to 2020. There is estimated to be a rise in all four countries y-o-y, with the biggest growth projected in Belgium at 92.6 ha in 2022, up 3.2% y-o-y. According to market sources, there is expected to be a rise in planting of chipping and crisping potato types as some producers have shifted from production of starch and fresh market potatoes.

If yields are at the five-year average level in 2022/23, total potato production in the EU-4 zone is estimated to increase by 3.9% y-o-y. This is likely to act as a bearish driver for EU potato prices. However, ongoing production cost hikes, including energy and fertiliser (key production inputs) could limit large price declines, as the rise in costs are likely to be passed along the value chain onto consumers.

Weather will be the key factor determining total production in the upcoming harvest. Extreme adverse weather events, specifically drought conditions, could impact yields and thus reduce overall output. There are currently fears of drought within the EU-04 zone, particularly in France and Germany, with warmer than average conditions and a lack of rainfall weighing on production prospects. Weather in the next two months will be a key watch-out factor for EU potato prices moving forward.

Alice Witchalls
Alice Witchalls

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