Potato production in France has decreased for the second year in a row to 6.8 million tons, 4% below the volume recorded last year and 5% below the five year average. 2015/2016 had already seen a 12% decrease compared to 2014/2015 due to the drought over the summer in 2015. Despite an increase in acreage (+5% in a year), the decrease in yield is linked to unfavourable weather conditions. Yield has decreased to 39 tons/hectare in 2016/2017 compared to 42.5 tons/hectare in 2015/2016 and a 44 tons/hectare five year average.
The decrease in potatoes is also noted in other European countries. Over the first 8 months of the 2016/2017 season prices increased by 41% compared to the year before, more than doubling (+113%) compared to the five year average. It is the second year in a row that prices have increased.