The potato acreage in Spain is expected to see a significant reduction this year. Moreover, the planting of early potatoes is being hampered by a series of winter storms, which are bringing heavy rainfall. Furthermore, the import of cheap French potatoes is hampering the domestic market.
Last year, 1,94 million tons of potatoes were harvested in Spain. This is 1,4% less than the previous year's harvest and the lowest amount since 2022. Compared to the five-year average, production is almost 2% lower, according to the latest figures from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture. Fewer mid-early varieties were harvested in particular. This segment accounts for 36% of production, compared to 39% a year earlier. The yield of late potatoes, on the other hand, increased, from 35% to 39% of the total.
Significantly less exports
The country saw its potato exports decline by a whopping one-fifth in 2025 compared to 2024. Neighboring countries Portugal and France are by far the largest buyers of Spanish potatoes, followed by Germany and Italy. The Netherlands ranks sixth with 11.000 tons, just behind Belgium, which imported nearly 14.000 tons last year. Portugal, France, and Germany together account for 97% of all potato exports.
The country that exports nearly 240.000 tons imports a significant amount of potatoes. In 2025, this amounted to 889.450 tons. While this is 2,5% less than the previous year, it is still substantial. France primarily sells potatoes to its neighbor, accounting for three-quarters of imported table potatoes. Incidentally, the Netherlands comes in third.
Dutch seed potatoes remain in demand
The Netherlands leads the way in seed potato imports, with 46.612 tons imported during the 2024/25 season. So far this season, Spain has purchased a good 15.000 tons of potatoes, which is almost 2.000 tons less than last year.
Fewer seed potatoes align with insiders' projections for the expected acreage. This area is estimated to decrease this year in Spain. Last year, the acreage was 66.743 hectares, 9,5% more than was planted in 2024. This is mainly due to the growth in the share of late varieties. Not only this segment needs to shrink to restore market health, but also early crops – which saw 5% to 8% growth last year – need to be reduced.
Emergency prevents legs
That decrease is likely to happen, but not entirely by choice. Storm Ingrid has brought excessive rainfall and snowfall to large parts of Spain in recent days. This was already the eighth storm of the season, locally dropping up to 300 millimeters of rain. Conditions are particularly poor in northern Spain. A new storm is already poised to move across Spain and Portugal. Many planting machines have been forced to stand still in southern Spain since New Year's Eve. It's simply too wet to plant. According to meteorologists, disruptions continue to hamper efforts.
The potato market in Spain isn't much better than in Northern Europe. The price for Agria was €12 per 100 kilos in early January, according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture. Moreover, the market is facing significant pressure from France, which is shipping large quantities of table potatoes to the country at extremely low prices. This is a thorn in the side of the Spanish.
Also area decline in Portugal
Not only in Spain, but also in Portugal, insiders anticipate a significant decline in acreage. Potato growers are being plagued by very poor weather, and buyers are also reluctant to honor their contracts. Fewer tons are being contracted, especially in the processing sector. Exports of Dutch seed potatoes to Portugal are also slightly behind last year.