This is how the harvest works in 9 European countries

The greatest pain is with the EU-4 countries. It is estimated that just under 20% of the area of ​​consumption potatoes still needs to be grubbed up, which amounts to more than 4 million tons of potatoes, as we mentioned earlier. proclaim. It continues to rain, especially in the coastal areas, so that the greatest damage and backlog is visible in Northern France, West Flanders and also in the Netherlands.

If you compare the most recent harvest figures from Aviko Potato (up to and including November 10) with those from the week before, you will see that harvesting is still taking place, but that progress is painfully slow. This means that the 2023 harvest is starting to lag further behind. In some countries it is described as the most difficult in recent history. The current situation can perhaps best be compared to the autumn of 1974.

Netherlands: biggest hits in coastal areas
As usual, more precipitation falls in the Dutch coastal regions than inland. The first twelve days of November have now well passed the 100 millimeter mark. It is extremely wet, especially in North and South Holland. In the southwest, at least a quarter or more of the potatoes still need to be harvested. It is drier in the east and southeast, but the clearing work is not finished there either. The exception is that harvesting can often take place here (as long as it is dry), but this is very difficult due to the poor carrying capacity. Moreover, the potato quality is questionable given the harvesting conditions. This creates a compelling offer to processors of parties that cannot be stored.

In places where it has rained a lot, water damage is visible in the potatoes. The bottom of the ridges will be in the water. This is an issue in low places and headlands. If it continues to rain, more and more area will have to be written off.

Belgium: Flemish growers can no longer do anything
While potato growers in parts of Wallonia can still harvest, this is not the case in West Flanders. While there are still quite a few potatoes in the ground here. Our southern neighbors are heading for a record harvest, but at least a third of it is very difficult to get out of the ground. In the Belgian coastal regions - and especially the Westhoek - it rained extremely heavily. In addition, water is supplied from the even wetter Northern France, which has led to flooding in the Westhoek.

Flemish arable farmers still have a problem. Just like in some parts of the Netherlands, they are obliged to sow a catch crop. This can be a green manure, but also wheat, barley or winter flax. The deadline for this was November 1, but this has now been pushed back to the end of the month. Whether that is feasible remains to be seen.

France: flooding in important growing area
Northern France, and in particular the Pas-de-Calais region, is currently having the hardest time in Europe. Persistent rainfall has caused major flooding there. That region is an important potato growing area. While colleagues in the much drier center and east of France, such as in the Champagne region, have the harvest neatly behind the shelves, this is not the case on the coast.

Aviko estimates the potato harvest in the country at 90% done. Plots of land in places where up to 100 millimeters of water has fallen can be written off. The question is how much and whether it can still be cleared, even if it is next spring. About 58.000 hectares of potatoes are grown in the area, the majority of which are consumption potatoes. It is estimated that 10% of this is still in the ground. That amounts to 230.000 tons of potatoes.

Germany: clearing work well advanced
Of the major European potato countries, the harvest in Germany has progressed the furthest, despite the fact that growers here are also struggling with excessive rainfall that makes harvesting difficult. It is especially difficult to complete the harvest in Lower Saxony. Due to the late planting date, potatoes have remained in the ground for a long time. A lot of water fell here in October and early November too.

Planting was also late in Bavaria. Then it became very dry. This results in yields that are 10% below the ten-year average. The area has also shrunk. The south of Germany also receives a fair amount of precipitation and is above average warm.

United Kingdom: Scottish potato growers are having a hard time
It was already clear at the start of this harvesting season that potato growers in the United Kingdom would harvest very few potatoes. The acreage has again shrunk considerably and the hectare yields are lower after a difficult growing season. It means that there are an estimated 700.000 tons fewer potatoes available. Throughout the country, but especially in central England and in Scotland, there are still potatoes in the ground. About 15% still needs to be harvested. In Scotland, many plots of land can be written off after flooding, including many seed potatoes.

Ireland: worst harvest in recent history
"The worst ever in recent history", is how Irish potato growers describe the 2023 harvest year. They are used to some rain on the island, but that much precipitation is crazy for them. 7.400 hectares of ware potatoes are grown in the country, a significant part of which is still in the ground and which growers cannot reach. It is extra sad because the cultivation costs are extra high this year. Not only because of higher input costs, but also because of the high disease pressure this summer. Potato growers have been spraying much more frequently against phytophthora and are now missing the opportunity to earn back that money. Companies sometimes take the gamble of leaving plots until spring, hoping that frost will not destroy the potatoes.

Poland: normal harvest, low yield
It has been drier in Central Europe this autumn than further west, which means the harvest has had fewer problems. Nevertheless, the potato crops have suffered from a difficult year. The recipe for this is known. Late legs, cold weather and a dry, warm summer. Official figures are 5,5 million tons of potatoes (including hobby cultivation). That is 9% less than last year. Irrigated plots have clearly done better.

Spain: again less than 2 million tons of potatoes
According to government figures, the potato harvest is 2% larger than last year in Spain. The volume of 1,97 million tons can still be called small. This is the second time (after 2022) that less than 2 million tons will be harvested. Historically little. Hectare yields of late ware potatoes are slightly higher than average.

Spain also had a wet October, but that was not a major problem. It ensured that water buffers for irrigation could be replenished, although the situation is still far from sufficient everywhere.

Switzerland: significantly more imports required
Just like in neighboring Austria, the potato harvest in Switzerland was also particularly small this year. This is reported by the trade association Swisspatat, confirmed by official statistical figures. The reasons for this are similar to other European countries. The area is stable at more than 10.000 hectares, but the hectare yields are 15% lower this year. This also results in 15% fewer potatoes. As a result, an estimated 100.000 additional tons are required - partly to keep the chips and fries industry running - which must come from imported potatoes.