According to the latest report of the Monitoring of Agricultural Resources, MARS, prepared by the European Commission, the average potato yield in Europe will amount to 34,900 kilos per hectare, which entails an increase of 14% compared to last year, when it stood at 30,600; below the average of the last five years (33,800 kg).
The greatest increase compared to the previous season has been recorded in Germany, with a 26% growth, going from 35,400 kilos to 44,700 kilos. This figure is higher than the average for the last five-year period (43,500).
As for France, Spain's main competitor in the European Union, it is achieving an 11% increase compared to 2018, with 43,600 kilos per hectare, compared to the 39,400 of the previous campaign. This figure is also higher than the average yield of the past five years (42,400 kilos).
For their part, Dutch growers are going to record a 21% increase, with 44,300 kilos per hectare; a great improvement over the 36,600 of the previous campaign and higher than the average for the past five years (42,600 kilos).
The United Kingdom expects more stable values, with the yield expected to reach 41,600 kilos per hectare; "only" 3% more than in 2018.
Lastly, the average yield in Spain in 2019 is estimated at 29,900 kilos, very much in line with the one achieved in 2018, when it stood at 29,800 kilos. This is also 4.4% less than the average of the past five years (31,300 kilos).
Source: agronewscastillayleon.com