The . At a European level, there was a 3.5% increase in cultivated areas and an exceptional production (+16%, and average yields per hectare of over 50 tons) but consumption dropped, so prices did too.
Potatoes must therefore also get used to the fluctuations that have characterised other products for quite some time.
Consumption potatoes in UE-5 (Source: NEPG - November 2014). Click here to enlarge.
Potato production in the main European producer countries
In 2014, Germany, the main European producer, grew over 8.9 million tons (+30% than 2013) on little more than 167,000 hectares. Last year cultivated areas grew by 3.3%.
Consumption dropped here too (-2%) although there was a slight increase in the last four months. Prices are low and stable at 7-10 cents/kg ex works.
As regards new investments for 2015, cultivated areas should decrease by 5%, not enough to reach a balance on the market.
In 2014, France produced over 6 million tons on over 121,400 hectares (CNIPT data).
Purchases rose in January (+8% than 2013/14) due to a bigger number of clients and more demand per capita. These sales reduced volumes stocked, which though remain abundant because exports were slow, especially in December (-11% with respect to the 2011/13 average). Prices hover between 4-6 cents/kg ex works.
Provisional data estimate a 10% reduction of invested crops with respect to last year.
In 2014, the UK harvested over 5.1 million ton on 105,000 hectares.
Consumption tends to drop due to people being more careful about wasting food. The British market sells at low prices and risks not finishing stocked quantities.
Cultivated areas are expected to drop by 10-15% in 2015, though it might not be enough to make the domestic market more balanced.
In 2014, Belgium increased its production by 25% on 81,400 hectares.
There was a slight increase in prices for industry produce, which reached 2-3 cent/kg in the past few days. High-quality consumption produce reaches 4-6 cents/kg.
Cultivated areas should drop by more than 10% in 2015.
The Italian product is still in difficulty due to foreign competition, a drop in consumption and quality problems caused by bad weather in 2014.
Cultivated areas should be reduced by 12% in 2015.
As regards prices, there has been a slight increase in retailer prices, though they are still lower than the previous years.
Luciano Trentini from the Borsa paritetica delle patate said that "it is not easy to make predictions. In Europe cultivated areas should drop by 10%. The supply of early potatoes also seems scarce and could lead to an increase in prices which would be good for the start of the 2015/16 campaign."
As regards Emilia-Romagna, region where the framework agreement between the Appe and Assopa POs and marketing operators is in place, Trentini observes that "sales in January were good, a sign that high-quality potatoes are still available. The choice to operate with guidelines for integrated production is proving positive and is also a guarantee for the most demanding consumers."