"The situation is quite difficult, as the whole sector is affected by the Russian ban because the country absorbed significant volumes of table potatoes. Prices dropped as much as €50-60 per ton. It would have been better if we had little produce available, but volumes are bigger than 2013," explained a potato operator at Fruit Attraction 2014.
Early Agata potatoes.
Agata potatoes are the only ones that seem to be doing well, "especially good quality ones. Not even segmentation seems to repay companies though, as retailers want to show consumers they offer the best deals. This way, 10 kg packets are sold at €0.15/kg to final consumers...it is impossible to even cover production costs!"
Among the many factors that affect the sector there is the fact that potatoes have not been included in the Common agricultural policy. In addition, the fragmentation of the production world affects the bargaining power of suppliers: "you will always find someone willing to sell produce at a lower price."