The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food has met with the representative organizations of the potato sector to take stock of the season that is entering its final stretch. According to the latest data from September 2024, potato production has reached 1,933,963 tons. This is 0.6% more than in the previous season and 5.2% lower than the average (2019-2023). However, it's also the second consecutive year that production increases.
The meeting was chaired by Elena Busutil, the general director of Agricultural Productions and Markets, who also shared Eurostat data on potato exports from January to September. This data shows that Spain sold 298,594 tons of potatoes, i.e. 1.7% more than last year and 19% above the average of the past five seasons. In terms of value, there is also an upward trend. Exports surpassed 177 million euros, a record figure that is 5.8% higher than last season and 60.4% higher than the average of the previous five years.
In 2024, prices were also much higher than in previous years because the season was shorter in Andalusia and Murcia and French production was lower. As a result, up to November - the latest available data - the average national price paid to farmers stood at 0.57 euros per kilogram, 22.3% more than in the previous year and 65.3% above the average for the last five seasons.
The sector also shared the need to boost household fresh potato consumption after the Ministry's latest food consumption panel showed consumption decreased by 3% compared to 2023 and 11% over the average.
Elena Busutil has called on the sector to continue working together to overcome the current challenges. This includes the promotion of domestic production in order to reduce dependence on foreign countries to meet domestic demand.
For more information:
Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food
www.mapa.gob.es