Inside Potatoes
Spanish acreage at historic low
The total Spanish ware potato area is expected to be considerably lower this year, reaching an all-time low. The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, in particular, estimates Mapama to be lower, and the yields are also significantly lower.
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Choose the subscription that suits youThe most recent Numbers from the Spanish agricultural ministry, Mapama, to a potato area of well over 69.000 hectares. The summer harvest area in particular is expected to decrease (-3.500 hectares). The early potato harvest and autumn harvest do not change significantly. For early potatoes, the area is estimated to be several hundred hectares lower.
New record
The Spanish potato area has been showing a strong downward trend for years. In 2013, a low of 71.100 hectares was reached. It then rose slightly again, reaching a peak of 74.000 hectares in 2015 and 2017. Never before has the total area fallen below the 70.000 hectare limit.
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The Spanish potato area has stabilized since 2013.
Spain has 4 harvest moments: extra early (primer), early, summer harvest and autumn harvest. The first and last have been stable in recent years. The area of early potatoes increased and the summer harvest in particular fluctuates sharply. That is also visible this year. The reason for the sharp decrease in area is a poor potato market last season with low prices.
Market in balance
The market looks better balanced this year. Despite the fact that there is little export of early potatoes, prices are at a relatively high level. The ministry estimates the total harvest of early potatoes at almost 92.000 tons, compared to more than 96.000 tons last year. In 2016 this was even almost 110.000 tons.
The ministry puts the yield of early potatoes at 400.000 tons, a reduction of 83.000 tons compared to the 2017 harvest and 45.000 tons below the 2016 harvest. This while the area has only been reduced by 440 hectares. The hectare yield is 26,5 tons, compared to 31,4 tons last year.
Lower acreage
The ministry has not yet released a yield forecast for the summer and autumn harvest. These are also expected to be lower. The hectare yield is estimated to be lower and the significant decrease in area plays a major role in the summer harvest. Major drought, followed by excessive precipitation, affects yields. The MARS report also expects a lower Spanish potato harvest.