Germany is on track for its largest potato harvest in 25 years. This contrasts sharply with the European Commission's lower estimates. Meanwhile, the high production is putting significant pressure on prices. Read more about area growth, yields, and price developments.
Last year, there was already talk of a record harvest of 12,7 million tons. Yields per hectare appear slightly lower this year, but area growth is pushing production to new heights. The potato acreage has expanded by 6,7% this year to 301.000 hectares. This is the largest potato area in Germany since the turn of the century, reports the Ministry of Agriculture.
The average yield per hectare is expected to be around 44 tons. This is 1% less than last year, but 5% above the multi-year average.
Lower estimate in Mars report
The European Commission's JRC research center is less enthusiastic about the German potato yields. In this week's Mars report, the commission predicts a yield of 41,3 tons per hectare. Both agencies agree on the 2024 harvest: an average of 45 tons per hectare. In May, the JRC was still projecting 44,1 tons per hectare. Due to the dry and warm spell in May and June, that forecast has been revised downwards each month. This month's estimate is almost 3 tons per hectare lower than in May.
Very early start
The growing conditions for potatoes will be significantly better in 2025 than in the previous two years, the ministry notes. A wet winter was followed by a dry spring, allowing potatoes to be planted under excellent conditions. Growers were able to start harvesting early potatoes early.
The large harvest is resulting in lower prices. "Producers are currently receiving about a third less for table potatoes from the main harvest than last year. Consumers paid approximately 15% less for potatoes in supermarkets in August 2025 than in August 2024," according to the ministry.