Spain recently published the first official statistics about the potato cultivation in 2012. These statistics, however, only apply to the extra early harvest, The area used for the cultivation increased by 6,9% to 3,445 HA. The larger part of this is in Andalusia with 1,700 HA. The area on the Canary Islands is unchanged compared to last year (1,050 HA).
The increase in the total area is probably the result of the exceptionally favourable weather conditions of the past autumn/winter. Normally a big decrease is expected when early potatoes are being planted.
The situation on the Spanish potato market is still a disaster. The average price to the grower decreased even further to only 5,58 euro/100 kgs.