Spain (Salamanca): Urgency and lack of solutions hit potato prices

The final stretch of September begins with a large quantity of potatoes still unharvested in Salamanca—more than 50%, it is estimated—and this rush to clear the land and prepare it for the next planting is affecting the current price. Also, as has been the case throughout virtually this entire campaign, the lack of demand, with abundant French potatoes on the market, means there is no outlet. At this point, while there are varieties that can hold their own—such as the quality Agricola—others are no longer finding a market.

Added to this is the fact that production is not high in this province—around 40,000 kilos—and there is more abundance of smaller crops than in other campaigns, which adds to the difficulties in marketing.

Red varieties have fallen in price, with Portuguese buyers purchasing them directly from France. Due to all of the above, farmers are now receiving potato varieties below production costs. This means some farmers see no need to wait, fearing even a further drop in prices due to the high quantity still in the ground. Potatoes are being sold at €0.10/kilo with production costs of approximately €7,000 per hectare. The most patient among them see that as long as it doesn’t freeze, the potatoes can remain in the ground and remain confident in a change of trend. The low temperatures are not helping the situation.

Potatoes have enjoyed good prices for the past three years, with the Agricultural and Livestock Price Observatory of the Regional Government of Castilla y León estimating prices for this province at €32.84 per 100 kilos in 2024; €29.91 in 2023; and €34.53 in 2022. However, in the last 10 seasons, prices have fallen below 13 cents per kilo three times: 2021, 2020, and 2017. This season, potato planting was very late due to the rains.