Spain: Fresh potato consumption continues to fall

Processed potato consumption reached 59,600 tonnes and frozen potato consumption reached 51,900 tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 11%. Fresh potato consumption reached 762,100 tonnes, 3% less than in the same period in 2023 and 11% below the average of the previous five periods. Therefore, the Committee considers it necessary to promote fresh potato consumption and agreed to participate in the Expo SAGRIS agricultural fair, organized by Ifema Madrid in collaboration with the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (ALAS), as the promoting association, which will hold its first edition from November 6 to 8 at Ifema Madrid.

2025 Campaign, similar to the previous one

Those responsible for production and marketing in the main growing areas expect a good campaign for this year, with volumes similar to those of 2024. The early potato harvest has already begun in Murcia, followed by Andalusia. They are also committed to promoting the consumption of fresh potatoes, and have therefore agreed to participate in the first edition of the Agricultural Exhibition, Expo SAGRIS, which will take place next November.

The rains have affected the main growing areas, but no reduction in production is expected, with volumes remaining similar to last year’s, according to Alfonso Sáenz de Cámara, president of the  FEPEX Potato Committee . In the case of Castilla y León, rather than crop damage, there has been a decline in plantings, and no drop in production is expected. And in Andalusia, the rains have caused a drop in yields, but there has been an increase in the cultivated area, by around 10%, so that the final production in this autonomous community will also be similar to last year’s.

Meanwhile, the early potato campaign has already begun, with the first harvests in Murcia, followed by those in Andalusia, the main Spanish new potato-producing autonomous community. Harvesting is expected to become widespread starting in the second week of May.

The Committee

The FEPEX Potato Committee is made up of the National Association for the Production and Trade of Fruits and Potatoes (ASONAL), the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producing and Exporting Companies of Andalusia and Extremadura (ASOCIAFRUIT), the Iberian Club of Potato Professionals (CIPP), the Association of Potato Producers of Origin of Castile and León (ASOPOCYL), and the Association of Seed Potato Producers of Spain (APPSE).