Potato farmers in the NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) region are facing a paradoxical situation: While a record potato harvest is expected in 2025, prices are plummeting. The cause is a significant imbalance between supply and demand.
Compared to the previous year , 7% more potatoes were cultivated . In the EU-04 (Belgium, Germany, France, and the Netherlands), the cultivated area increased to 608,000 hectares , leading to an expected total harvest of 27.3 million tons — 11% more than in 2024. However, a large portion of this harvest remains unsold and ends up as animal feed, in biogas, or in compost.
Potato cultivation under cost pressure in 2025
The high production costs in potato cultivation pose another problem. Fertilizer, crop protection, and energy remain expensive, while producer prices are falling dramatically. This means economic losses for many farms. Experts therefore expect a significant reduction in potato cultivation areas by 2026.
Sustainability as key
The NEPG has been calling for more sustainability in potato cultivation for years . It's about producing only as much as is economically viable. As climate change accelerates, potato production is becoming riskier, more expensive, and increasingly polluting soil, water, and biodiversity.
Those who want long-term success must conserve resources while simultaneously securing profits. This is precisely where a sustainable approach comes in: conserving operating resources and implementing intelligent solutions.
Save resources and grow sustainably with Karrikin
One example is the use of karrikin in agriculture , a plant-based active ingredient. It helps farmers save inputs by improving soil fertility , reducing water and fertilizer requirements, and enabling healthier plant growth. This not only reduces costs but also the strain on natural resources.
This makes potato cultivation not only more economically viable but also future-proof – in line with the goals of the NEPG: Produce what you can sustainably produce and conserve your resources.
Conclusion
The current record harvest clearly shows: More potatoes doesn't automatically mean more profit. Sustainability in potato cultivation and the clever use of new methods like Karrikin are the way out of the crisis. Only those who conserve resources, save inputs, and rethink the supply chain can secure potato cultivation economically and ecologically in the long term.
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