No crop comes close to potato balance

Buffen expects the potato market to have probably reached its lowest point at €12,50. The potato area has expanded considerably this season and in many cases there is no storage available for these extra potatoes. Due to a shortage of seed potatoes, there are also dual-purpose varieties that growers want to deliver directly from the field. For storage, the German potato trader expects prices ranging from €27 to €35. The area has expanded this season, especially in Germany and France. Weuthen estimates the yield in the EU-4 at 22,50 to 23,50 million tonnes. Buffen is cautious. "The late-planted crops still have growth potential, so a reliable harvest estimate cannot be made until mid-October."

Industry sets the tone
Buffen is positive about the future of potato cultivation in the Hafpal region (Northwest Europe). "After the corona crisis, the processing industry is setting the standard for arable farming in Europe with very attractive contract prices. No crop can even come close to these balances." Processors have invested heavily in additional capacity in recent years and are continuing in this line. In 2035, Buffen expects that an additional 50.000 hectares of potatoes will be needed. According to him, there is sufficient potential in Germany and France to further expand cultivation.

Although the cards seem to be stacked in the European potato sector's favour, Buffen warns that we do not have the sole right. "European processors are facing global competition. Not only North America is competing on the world market. Factories are also being built in China, India and South America that want to export to growth markets. That is why it is important to remain competitive," says Buffen in the outlook for 2025.