The potato harvest in Andalusia has seen a 5% reduction in planted area this year, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hectares, according to a report published by Argenpapa.
This decrease is attributed to the effects of the series of storms that affected the region at the beginning of the year. However, yields are expected to be higher than those achieved in 2025, according to Marco Román, president of the potato sector at Asociafruit, speaking to Efeagro.
Currently, almost all of the extra-early potatoes in Málaga have already been harvested, while the harvest of new potatoes in Andalusia will likely end in early or mid-July. In this context, Román complained that store shelves are sharing space with old potatoes from France, from the 2025 season, which have been stored in cold storage for extended periods.
Román highlighted his concern about the quality of these French potatoes, which dominates 80% of the market in Spanish wholesale markets. He indicated that, because they are fried, these potatoes contain acrylamide levels higher than those recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which could increase the risk of developing cancer.
He also criticized the fact that these old French potatoes are sold in Spain at the same price as new ones, despite their low quality and the fact that “they should be used for animal feed.” He has also lashed out at certain food chains that prioritize profit over product quality.
Looking ahead to October, the Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid will celebrate the potato as its “star product,” highlighting it as the third most produced food crop worldwide after rice and wheat. This recognition has been promoted by Asociafruit.
Source: Interempresas.net via Argenpapa. Full story here
Image: Credit Argenpapa
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