Preliminary data from the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture indicates the potential for a potato harvest in 2025 that could be the best in 25 years. Initial assessments suggest a harvest yield of 13.4 million tons, representing a 5.3% increase compared to the already strong year of 2024 and 17% above the multi-year average. The last comparable harvest occurred in 2000.
The area dedicated to potato cultivation has expanded by 6.7% compared to the previous year, reaching 301,000 hectares – the largest area dedicated to potato farming since the turn of the millennium. This increase in cultivated area, combined with anticipated yield per hectare, is driving expectations for a record harvest.
The projected average yield per hectare is approximately 44 tons, slightly below the very good results of 2024 (-1%) but still about 5% above the multi-year average.
Favorable growing conditions throughout 2025, following a sufficiently wet winter and a warm, dry spring that facilitated optimal planting, have contributed to this promising outlook. While some regions experienced periods of dryness, early potato harvests were largely successful and irrigation was employed where possible. Rainfall in July, following an exceptionally dry and warm period in May and June, provided much-needed moisture, though it also increased disease pressure.
The anticipated large harvest is already impacting potato prices. Producer prices for early potatoes commenced the year at a considerably lower level than in previous years. Currently, farmers are receiving approximately one-third less for their main crop potatoes compared to last year. Consequently, consumers have observed a roughly 15% reduction in the price of potatoes in supermarkets compared to August 2024.
