Last week, Spanish potato prices at the auction in León rose sharply, by 14% to 25%, depending on the variety. According to the auction, this is mainly because imported potatoes do not meet expectations in terms of quality and shelf life, which has greatly increased the demand for domestic potatoes.
Spanish potatoes also show some shelf life problems, but they "offer more guarantees" according to the auction. This week, the price of Agria potatoes rose to 350 euros/ton at this auction; a 70 euro increase in a single session. The price of the other varieties increased by forty to fifty euros per ton.
Potatoes are the most imported fruit and vegetable product in Spain, with an annual import of over one million tons. This is practically equivalent to half of the domestic harvest, which in 2023 amounted to almost two million tons. Spanish potato production is led by the region of Castile and Leon, accounting for 40% of the national total. Spanish potato imports exceeded 470 million euros. The import value has increased by 60% over the past five years, while the import volume increased by 30%.
Most imported potatoes come from Belgium, Portugal, and especially France. But Egypt is also gaining ground with competitive prices, as in other European Union countries, where potatoes from the Eastern Mediterranean are increasingly present.
Asaja has asked the Ministry of Agriculture to launch consumer campaigns to counter the decline in household consumption of fresh potatoes. In the past year, consumption fell by 3% compared to 2023 and by 11% compared to the five-year average.
In contrast, household consumption of frozen and processed potatoes has increased by 13% and 4%, respectively, in the last year. Stimulating the demand for fresh potatoes in households would provide direct support to local farmers, as fresh potatoes are relatively more popular for home consumption.
For more information:
Asaja Palencia
www.asajacyl.com