European starch harvest hits 8-year low

In Germany, the area of ​​starch potatoes will decrease this year by more than 2.800 hectares to 53.100 hectares, BVS estimates. For the European Union, an area of ​​194.600 hectares is assumed. That is the smallest area in eight years.

European shrinkage
Official figures from the EU member states are slightly above this area. In the EU-27, the total cultivation is estimated at 201.000 hectares for this year. That is almost 10.000 hectares less than was cultivated in 2023. In most countries, the area is shrinking slightly. The exception is Poland, where an increase of 10% is estimated. In Denmark, the European number two with 47.000 hectares, the area remains stable. There, cultivation has increased by 10.000 hectares in the last five years.

Competition
In the Netherlands, starch potato cultivation decreased by 3.530 hectares this year and in France by 6.800 hectares. There, the area remained stable in recent years, while it decreased in most other countries. The cultivation is struggling with reduced profitability and growers choosing to grow other potato varieties. Competition from the French fry and flake industry is great.

According to Hans-Wilhelm Giere, chairman of the BVS and also employed by Avebe, the starch factories were unable to stabilise the area and potato production. The difficult growing season has also affected the starch potatoes. Excessive precipitation and very high disease pressure are taking their toll. And not only in Germany. The limit of what is possible with the current stripped-down package of crop protection products has been reached, according to the organisation.

Higher costs
In addition to the challenge of shrinking European cultivation, producers of potato flour and protein also face the challenge of rising costs. As a result, the tons of potatoes must be paid for better.