As in previous years, imported potatoes are competing directly with local production in the Canary Islands during the summer harvest. This season, the tubers arrived from Israel, rather than from Egypt, Cyprus, or the United Kingdom, which have traditionally supplied the market.
These imports are already available alongside local packaged potatoes in supermarkets, affecting the marketing of domestic production still in storage. Growers report that several million kilos of local potatoes remain unsold, while wholesale prices paid to farmers have fallen to €0.60–0.75/kg (US$0.65–0.81/kg).
Imports have been observed mainly in Lidl and Hiperdino stores, priced at €1.89/kg (US$2.03/kg) for three-kilo bags. These shipments were carried out by Dipacan (for Lidl) and Copacan Canarias (for Hiperdino). Mercadona is currently selling only local varieties from the Garañaña Cooperative, linked to the Casmi group.
Despite meetings convened by the Ministry of Agriculture with producers, importers, and retailers to prioritize local supply during the summer, imported potatoes are already present in major retail outlets. Farmers emphasize that mid-season production harvested in summer has not yet been fully marketed, leaving sufficient stock to meet demand at prices considered viable, around €1/kg (US$1.08/kg).
According to ISTAC data, Canary Islands potato production in 2023 totaled 78,304 tons across 6,710 hectares. Over the past decade, cultivated area declined by nearly 40% and harvested production by 25%. At the same time, the islands' population increased by 100,000, and annual tourism rose by four million visitors.
Imports remain substantial. In 2023, the Canary Islands imported 64 million kilos of potatoes, falling slightly to 61 million in 2024, with a total value of €39 million (US$42 million). The United Kingdom supplied nearly two-thirds of the volume, followed by Egypt, Israel, and Cyprus.
In 2024, Canarian growers received an average of €0.70–1.30/kg (US$0.76–1.40/kg) for their potatoes, while retail prices ranged from €2.30–3.10/kg (US$2.47–3.33/kg). The gap between farmgate prices and final retail values was almost three times the income obtained by local producers.
Source: ArgenPapa
