Statistics agency StatBel has issued a preliminary estimate of a smaller potato harvest than the Belgian potato organizations Viaverda and Fiwap. However, the difference compared to last year is the same in both estimates: an increase of 650.000 tons.
StaBel is targeting a potato harvest of 4,63 million tons this year. The potato organizations estimate the harvest at 4,96 million tons. This means the statistics agency's estimate is 330.000 tons lower than the estimates from Viaverda and Fiwap. Last year, the difference was just as large.
According to the statistics office, the area under cultivation has increased by 7,2% compared to 2024, to 107.685 hectares. The yield per hectare is estimated at 43 tons, an 8,6% increase compared to last year. A larger area combined with higher yields results in a 16% increase in production.
Belgium's 2024 potato harvest yielded 3.98 million tons, according to StatBel. Potato organizations project a harvest of 4,31 million tons for that year.
StatBel also made a statement shortly before the announcement of the harvest estimate area figures Known for its various potato crops. This shows that the cultivation of early potatoes, in particular, has expanded. The expansion of storage potatoes has remained limited to 4,7%. The Walloons, in particular, are growing more storage potatoes this year.
Sugar beets
StatBel estimates the sugar beet harvest in Belgium at 4,9 million tons. The forecasters estimate the yield per hectare to be 94,6 tons. Belgians cultivate the crop on 51.994 hectares.
Beet root production is 11% higher than last year. In 2024, 75,6 tons of beets per hectare were harvested. This was a small yield, as in previous years, 82 to 89 tons were harvested per hectare. The area last year amounted to 58.329 hectares.