Extreme weather splits Europe in two

Over the past 2 weeks it has been noticeable that the weather in Europe is divided between west and east. This has consequences for the potato crops. Until the end of June, it was very dry in Northwestern Europe, with average temperatures. Ultimately, this only led to serious yield problems in Belgium and Northern France. Rain in July has helped potato crops catch up in many other regions.

Due to the warm weather, problems can be detected, for example contamination with phytophthora, tuber quality and growth. Due to the relatively good structure, crops have generally been able to root deeply.

Heat wave leads to damage
In Southern Europe the heat has risen to above 40 degrees for 5 days in a row. This heat wave, which bears the name Lucifer, affects 11 European countries. This also includes Poland, Romania, Hungary and Switzerland. Parts of France, Spain and Portugal also have problems with this.

Temperatures have now decreased slightly, but forecasts still mention figures of up to 35 degrees. Further north in Europe, the temperature barely rises above 20 degrees. In Central Europe and Spain, the heat is causing damage to crops, insiders say.

Text continues below the image.A summary of the weather of summer 2017.

Too early to assess damage
A temperature around 20 degrees is excellent growing weather for potatoes, but 30 to even 40 degrees causes serious damage. In the field, due to drought, but also in product storage. The product heats up too much. It is still too early to say how extensive the damage is, but it is taken into account that there may be more demand for product from Southern and Central Europe.

Fewer Spanish potatoes
The hot weather is partly responsible for rising potato prices in Spain. The average Spanish potato price rose by 3% at the end of July, to €182,20 per tonne. That was €176,90 per tonne a week earlier. Castilla y León started harvesting at the end of July. This is washed and bagged and sold for €100 to €140 per tonne.

It is special that with the arrival of the new harvest, prices rise. Normally the effect is counterproductive. Due to the heat, this Spanish region is experiencing a 20% lower yield and quality problems. Growers are still reluctant to start harvesting.

More heat waves
According to the European Commission, we must take such extremes more into account in the future. Now around 3.000 people die every year due to weather extremes. By the end of the century, this number is estimated to have risen to 152.000 people. Heat accounts for 99% of all fatalities.

America better prepared
Idaho, the largest potato producing state in the US, is also very warm. Temperatures of up to 35 degrees are normal in summer. However, due to a good irrigation system, potato cultivation is still perfectly possible in this part of the world. However, this does have an impact on the water supply. Despite high temperatures, almost 80% of Idaho is currently not too dry, even though it is 35 degrees. Last year, 60% of the state was too dry.