Preliminary data from the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture indicates the potential for a potato harvest in 2025 that could be the most bountiful in over two decades. Initial assessments suggest a yield of approximately 13.4 million tonnes, a significant increase compared to the already strong performance of 2024. This projected harvest would represent a 5.3% rise from last year and a substantial 17% above the average over recent years. The last time Germany experienced a comparable harvest was in the year 2000.
Contributing to this potential record is a notable expansion in cultivated area. This year, the area dedicated to potato farming has grown by 6.7% compared to 2024, now totaling 301,000 hectares – the largest acreage since the turn of the millennium.
The anticipated high yield per hectare is also bolstering the positive outlook. Preliminary estimates place this figure at around 44 tonnes per hectare, slightly below the exceptionally high yield seen in 2024 (-1%) but still above the multi-year average by almost 5%.
Favorable growing conditions throughout 2025 have played a key role in this promising outcome. A sufficiently wet winter was followed by a warm, dry spring, allowing for optimal planting conditions and adhering to typical timelines. While some regions experienced a lack of rainfall, early potato varieties were able to be harvested early. Irrigation was utilized where feasible. Although a period of dry and hot conditions in May and June presented challenges, subsequent rainfall in July alleviated concerns regarding moisture levels, despite contributing to increased disease pressure within crops.
The anticipated large harvest is already influencing potato prices. Producer prices for early potatoes this year began at a noticeably lower level than in previous years. Currently, potato farmers are receiving approximately one-third less for their produce compared to last year’s prices. Consumers have also seen a benefit, with supermarket prices for potatoes in August 2025 being approximately 15% lower than in August 2024.
