Preliminary data from the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture indicates the potential for a potato harvest in 2025 that could be the most abundant in over two decades. Initial assessments suggest a yield of approximately 13.4 million tonnes, representing a 5.3% increase compared to the already strong 2024 harvest and 17% above the multi-year average. The last comparable yield was achieved in 2000.
Contributing to this anticipated record harvest is a significant expansion in cultivated area, which has increased by 6.7% compared to the previous year. The total area dedicated to potato cultivation now stands at 301,000 hectares, the largest footprint since the turn of the millennium.
Furthermore, anticipated yields per hectare are projected to be robust, averaging around 44 tonnes across the country. This figure is slightly below last year’s exceptionally productive year (-1%), but still approximately 5% above the longer-term average.
Favorable vegetative conditions throughout 2025 have supported this positive outlook. A sufficient level of rainfall during the winter was followed by a warm and dry spring, which enabled planting under ideal conditions. While some regions experienced a lack of moisture later in the season, the early harvest of new potatoes was able to proceed. Irrigation was utilized where feasible and the rainfall occurring in July following a period of dry and warm weeks in May and June has eased concerns regarding moisture levels. However, this also contributed to an increase in disease pressure.
The substantial potato harvest is impacting pricing structures. Producer prices for new potatoes started 2025 notably lower than in previous years. Currently, producers are receiving approximately one-third less for their main crop potatoes compared to the previous year. Consequently, consumers have observed a decrease of around 15% in supermarket prices for potatoes in August 2025, compared to August 2024 levels.