스페인 씨감자 인사이트

Potato producers in Spain are keen to expand their areas, but a problem is once again emerging with the shortage of seed material.

The sale of extra-early varieties has already begun in the south of Spain, which has sown a good part of the area that was planned. After a spring of 2024 with seed problems, due to scarcity and excessive size, doubts now arise about health. The rains have barely given a break in the main production areas of Europe, from the north of France and Belgium to the southern half of Germany. Just as in the production areas of Palencia and Burgos, it has not stopped raining since August. Many tubers are rotten due to the rains and may affect the sowings of the Peninsula. "In some cases, the seed potato has been harvested with humidity and it will cause problems," says the agricultural engineer and consultant Fernando Alonso Arce, for whom "it is to be expected that the sowings in the south will have sufficient seed, but as the plantations move northwards the situation will be complicated."

The Valladolid town of El Carpio is hosting the International Potato Congress once again, which will shed some light on the doubts surrounding the crop. The sector is coming off a 2024 campaign in which 1.9 million tonnes have been harvested, a figure slightly higher (0.6%) than last season and 5.2% lower than the average for the 2019-2023 period. This represents an increase in production for the second consecutive year, according to the ministry. This year, and it's already two, concern looms over seed potatoes, given that permanent rains have harassed the crop in large seed-producing areas, including northern Spain and the large European seed-producing area, with its epicentre in the Netherlands. The big question is whether the seed potato will be healthy and of sufficient quality to meet the demand of Spanish producers. The International Potato Congress will take place when sowing has already become widespread in the south of Spain.