Forecast of potato production in Europe

European experts predict decline in potato production in Europe. Drop in production volumes is expected in Italy, France, Spain and Eastern Europe. Overall drop in production is predicted to be 5 mln tonnes, comparatively to the previous year. Potato production volume and productivity were affected by climate conditions. As a result, prices for produce significantly increased.

Associations of potato producers in Germany and France announced downfall in production within 15-20%. Due to decline in production, prices for potato significantly grew. Current prices are at EUR 0.30-0.32/kg, as compared to prices of the same period in these countries being EUR 0.15/kg.

In addition, downfall in potato production was recorded in Spain and Eastern Europe, which changed their exporting status into importing.

Italy is also affected by unfavourable climate conditions. Here potato production will fall down by 20% comparatively to the previous year. Currently, 70% of production areas are harvested. Prices for potato in Italy were up to EUR 0.25/kg comparatively to EUR 0.15/kg in 2009. Producers say the quality of produce to be low, that provokes growing of prices for high-quality potato.

Prices for packaged potato also grew. International market operators fix them at the level of EUR 0.65/kg. Russia faced shortage of potato far earlier than usually. 

, due to significant downfall in production, within 2 last weeks, prices for potato at the Russian market increased to RUB 12-20/kg (EUR 0.30-0.50/kg), that is 2-2.5 times higher than in the previous year.

Potato production in Ukraine will be slightly down, nevertheless producers already sell potato at UAH 2.5-3/kg (EUR 0.25-0.30/kg), that shows increase of 40-45% comparatively to the previous year.

http://www.lol.org.ua