Germany anticipates a potentially record-breaking potato harvest in 2025, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture reported this week. Preliminary official results indicate a yield of approximately 13.4 million tonnes. This figure represents a 5.3% increase compared to the already strong harvest of 2024 and a substantial 17% above the multi-year average. A harvest of comparable magnitude was last seen in 2000.
The area dedicated to potato cultivation has expanded again, rising by 6.7% compared to the previous year. This now stands at 301,000 hectares, the largest area under potato crops since the turn of the millennium.
Contributing to the anticipated record outcome is the expected yield per hectare, which is projected to reach approximately 44 tonnes nationwide. This is slightly below the excellent 2024 yield (-1%), but still about 5% above the multi-year average.
Favorable growing conditions in 2025 have played a crucial role. Following a sufficiently wet winter, a warm and dry spring facilitated planting under excellent conditions and within a normal timeframe. While some regions experienced a lack of rainfall, early potato harvests were possible, with irrigation employed where feasible. After particularly dry and hot weeks in May and June, rainfall in July alleviated concerns about soil moisture, although it also contributed to increased disease pressure.
The abundant predicted harvest is already influencing potato prices. Producer prices for early potatoes started 2025 at a notably lower level compared to previous years. Farmers are currently receiving roughly a third less for their processing potatoes compared to last year. Consumers have, in turn, seen approximately a 15% reduction in the price of table potatoes in supermarkets in August 2025, compared to August 2024.