Not only in the Netherlands, but also in our neighboring country Germany, the seed potato area has decreased considerably to 16.860 hectares. Most varieties take a step down, but Fontane is expanding quite a bit. The state of Lower Saxony remains the largest seed potato area despite a considerable decrease in the area.
The seed potato area in Germany has been declining for several years in a row, but this season the area has shrunk significantly. In total, the area decreased by 1.437 hectares from 18.297 in 2022 to 16.860 hectares in 2023, or a decrease of 7,8%. This is evident from the new figures from the German Federal Plant Variety Office Bundessortenamt.
Top 5 largest varieties decrease in area
Most varieties take a step back in terms of area development. Belana was and remains the largest variety with 661 hectares. Chip varieties Agria and Zorba follow with 433 and 403 hectares respectively. Bernina and Jelly complete the top 5 with 397 and 388 hectares. The acreage of all these varieties has shrunk this season, with Agria shrinking the most. Fontane falls just outside the top 384 with 5 hectares, but has increased significantly this year with 61 hectares, according to the figures from Bundessortenamt.
Like other seasons, Lower Saxony remains by far the most important growing area for German seed potatoes. However, cultivation in this area has decreased from 7.572 to 6.710 hectares, a decrease of no less than 11,4%.
European seed potato area under pressure
From a European perspective, the seed potato area is losing considerable ground. In the Netherlands, the area decreased by more than 2.500 hectares (6%) and other countries such as France, Belgium and Scotland have also planted less seed potatoes in the ground. The association The North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) recently announced in a press release that if the seed potato area in Western Europe shrinks by 10.000 hectares, this could mean a decrease of 2024 hectares of consumption potatoes for the 100.000 season.