The current global potato market: A brief overview

In Europe, the time has come for potato growers to harvest their potato crops. Estimates point to a smaller harvest and very disappointing yields. Is there pessimism? How are things going in Europe? And what is the situation in South Africa, the United States, Australia and New Zealand? This is an overview of the global potato market from Rudolf Mulderij, a reporter at FreshPlaza. In the northwest of Europe, he writes, “the harvest is significantly lower due to the extreme weather recorded in the summer months. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom expect a lower volume compared to last year. Due to the warm and dry weather, there will be a 20 to 30% lower yield compared to the five-year average.” The export season came to an end more than a month ago in Israel, and the sector has closed a mediocre season, despite a small increase in both the total production and exports. In the Skagit Valley of the US State of Washington, growers expect a normal year. Some growers in New South Wales in Australia talk about “challenges” during the winter months in the southern hemisphere due to frost and dry weather. Read more