In recent years, the Dutch seed potato industry has increasingly focused on varieties for fries. It is precisely in this segment that a shift is now visible. Exports outside the EU-4 partially compensate for this. What opportunities and threats exist for the seed potato sector? You will read about the eight factors influencing the seed potato market.
1. Exports of seed potatoes in the EU-4 are highly variable.
Exports of seed potatoes to the other EU-4 countries are considerably lower so far this season. The most recent figures from the NAO (up to April 1, 2026) show that Belgium purchased 7% less seed potatoes and Germany even 38% less than in the same period last year. Exports to France have remained virtually unchanged. However, compared to the five-year average, volumes are higher. The 67.286 tonnes purchased by Belgium is 2% more than the average. For France, at 31.178 tonnes, this is even 15,2% more. Here too, Germany is the negative outlier. The 34.753 tonnes purchased is almost 40% less than the five-year average.
2. The whole of Europe imports less
Outside these neighboring countries, exports of seed potatoes have also decreased. Spain has purchased over a quarter less starting material from the Netherlands so far this season. The volume of 35.932 tonnes is nearly 12% less than the five-year average. For Portugal, exports are a comparable 22% lower, and to Italy, it is 13% lower. Other major European destinations, such as Greece and Romania, show a similar picture. This is consistent with reports that the acreage is shrinking significantly this year, particularly in Southern Europe, as a result of the negative market situation.
3. Africa as a positive exception
African destinations form a positive exception to the rule. By April 1, Dutch trading houses had exported 9.586 tonnes more seed potatoes to African countries. This represents an increase of 5,9% compared to last season. Africa is becoming increasingly important for trading companies, with 9,1% more exports than the five-year average.
4. Payout prices have more than doubled
Contract prices for processing potatoes reached their highest level ever in 2025. Results from seed potato trading houses lag slightly behind, but a very strong upward trend is visible there as well. As with ware potatoes, this is partly a consequence of increased demand and costs. Agrico and HZPC have managed to achieve a better financial result for four consecutive years. Although a portion of the seed potatoes from the 2025 harvest could not be sold through this channel, the financial outlook for the current season remains reasonably good.
5. The free market is significantly lower
Free market prices for Spunta, Agria, and Bintje react almost immediately to the situation in the potato sector. The latest quotation for Spunta class E 35/55 (week 3) came in at €15,50 per 100 kilos. Quotations for the sorting grades are issued only sporadically. Class A 28/55 reached €14,50 in week 5, compared to €92 in the same week a year earlier. Agria shows a similar picture. The latest quotation of €17,50 is €47,50 lower than a year ago. For Bintje class A, the current price of €22,50 is even €57,50 below the same week last year.
6. Significantly more processing potato varieties
Virtually all major processing potato varieties are showing growth in starting material in the Netherlands. In 2024 and 2025, seed potato companies significantly increased acreage. This is particularly visible for Fontane, Agria, and Innovator. Fontane even reached 6.048 hectares last year. That is a doubling in nine years. Agria reached 3.316 hectares, which is also a record. Ten years ago, it was 1.870 hectares. Innovator, however, has shrunk. The 2.215 hectares is 273 hectares less than in the peak year of 2019.
7. More starting material for own use
According to NAK figures, the area of seed potatoes for own use has also increased steadily. A significant jump was noticeable in 2024, when there was a shortage of seed potatoes. The share of ATR seed potatoes amounted to 2.139 hectares last year. Ten years ago, this was 965 hectares. A growth of 122%. With the release of various important French fry varieties, this share will in all likelihood only increase. In Belgium, the area of seed potatoes increased by 10% last year to 3.324 hectares. The size of the share of farm-raised seed potatoes (seed potatoes for own use) is unknown. This has also increased substantially in recent years.
8. Diverse picture in Europe
The EU-4 countries have long been trying to become more self-sufficient in their starting material. Germany showed a strong increase over the last two years, but in France the opposite is true. There, cultivation reached a ceiling in 2022. There, too, the acreage is likely heading in a different direction this year.
Conclusion: pressure on price and acreage
The major potato trading houses have now announced that they are reducing the acreage of processing potato varieties for this year. This is precisely where substantial growth has been seen in recent years. The current market situation certainly has an impact on payout prices, but the effect is partially mitigated. Seed potatoes in the size category have largely found a market, although increasingly less so within the EU-4. Africa, in particular, has purchased more product so far.
Just like their consumption potato counterparts, seed potato growers are also facing rising production costs. While the labor-intensive sector is receiving increasing relief from the advent of new technology, this requires enormous investments that are currently only profitable for large companies. In recent years, seed potato prices have risen in line with cost levels, creating sufficient room for investment. How things will turn out for 2025/26 and the near future remains highly uncertain. Competition on the global export market plays a lesser role. It is primarily developments in (Northern) Europe that are steering the sector in a different direction.