Spain (Salamanca): Christmas arrives with unharvested potatoes and very low prices

Problems are mounting for farmers who still have potatoes in their fields because they planted later, and the recent rains have prevented them from harvesting and preparing the land for the next planting season. It is estimated that around 10-15% of the planted potatoes in Salamanca remain to be harvested.

Adding to the difficulty of very low prices throughout the season, and the fact that Christmas is approaching without a single potato being sold, are the unfavorable weather conditions. Specifically, it is the frost that is now causing buyers, even those with a pre-agreed price, to scrutinize the potatoes they receive with a magnifying glass. Furthermore, frost damage is often not apparent until the potatoes warm up. This situation is even more critical in a season where prices are sometimes below production costs, raising fears of further price cuts. Prices are low, and the León Commodity Exchange, used as a benchmark for Salamanca due to the lack of a local exchange, opted last week to maintain the same prices for potatoes. Thus, Agria was trading at €0.12/kilo; Jaerla, very scarce in Salamanca, at €0.10; Kennebec at €0.13; and Red Pontiac at €0.12/kilo. At 0.10, the yona, and also at that same price, the scarlet red.

Farmers are eager to clear their fields and start thinking about the next harvest, but the days are short and much of the land is waterlogged because there have been few dry days in recent weeks. This past weekend, a few combine harvesters were working in plots where possible.

In Salamanca, more land is dedicated to potato cultivation than in previous seasons. According to the preliminary data on areas and production published by the Ministry of Agriculture in May, 1,500 hectares of mid-season potatoes have been planted in Salamanca (1,420 in 2024 and 1,550 in 2023); and as for late-season potatoes, which make up the majority, 3,700 hectares have been planted (compared to 3,319 a year ago and 2,733 in 2023).