The potato harvest in Germany in 2018, despite a fairly high acreage, fell to its lowest level since 1989. As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the 2018 production volume amounted to 8.9 million tons; this was 24% less than that of 2017. This means that average of the past six years was missed by almost 2 million tons. According to the statisticians, this negative development was due to the very dry summer.
Destatis puts the 2018 potato acreage at 252,200 ha, which is an increase of 1,700 ha (or 0.7%) over the previous year and was the largest area since 2011.
However, the president of the German Potato Trade Association (DKHV), Thomas Herkenrath, made clear at the 'International Berlin Potato Evening' that despite the small harvest in 2018, the supply of "delicious and healthy potatoes" would be ensured this year.
Source: TopAgrar