The potato planting campaign has already started in Seville, Andalusia's main producing province. So far producers have only planted 10% of the total area but forecasts already point to a drop in production this season that will mainly focus on the varieties for the industry.
"Last season was bad in terms of exports. In addition, many potato farmers also have fruit crops and, due to the prolonged drought, they have chosen to reserve the scarce water supplies there are for their trees." "Moreover, we are facing unprecedented production cost increases. The cost of growing potatoes has increased by an estimated 1,300 euro per hectare due to the increase in the cost of electricity, diesel, and fertilizers alone," stated the CEO of Meijer Iberica, Javier Boceta. "Under these conditions, it's logical to think that there will be a reduction in the planting of potatoes," he said.
The Meijer Ibérica company is behind the most sown varieties and the most demanded varieties by the national industry, as it is the leader in the potato chips, microwave, and table market segments.
"The campaign is developing in a very satisfactory manner after the rains there were in Christmas week and the high temperatures at the end of 2021," Boceta said. We hope the weather allows us to have good yields, he added.
He also said farmers would continue to plant potatoes to wash and that they would grow them in the same acreage because they have an agreement with a supermarket chain. "The decrease in the production area will be due to the decline in industrial potatoes," he said. "The industry increased its prices after a long fight, but not enough for farmers to start planting these varieties."
"There was a lot of good quality and cheap industrial potato for the industry during September and October. However, they might have supply issues from May and June if they don't sign good contracts now," he stated.
Source: sevilla.abc.es