Spain: The potato faces a crucial challenge in the 2026 campaign.

The current situation in potato farming highlights the urgent need to implement effective measures in the European market to stabilize both the sector and all stakeholders. Without stricter regulations on imports and genuine recognition of the added value of local production, Spanish and European farmers will continue to face unfair competition facilitated by current European Union regulations, according to the specialized website patatadesiembra.es.

The market is at a critical juncture due to factors such as saturation, pressure from imports, and unequal regulatory treatment, all of which seriously threaten the viability of European-grown potatoes. This is a product that, ideally, should represent a standard of quality and food safety in the region.

A market in crisis 

The 2025 growing season in Europe has unfolded under the weight of a collapsed market. Prices have reached historic lows, while northern countries such as Germany, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands are accumulating production surpluses. 

The increase in cultivated land and the lack of long-term, flexible contracts have created a climate of uncertainty for European producers. Consequently, they are forced to compete with increasingly lower prices. 

Globally, the surplus of European harvests has led to a collapse in prices, allowing importers to avoid long-term commitments to local producers. This oversupply, coupled with constant pressure from non-EU imports and an uneven regulatory framework, is plunging the European potato market into a crisis with serious repercussions, according to industry sources. 

The Spanish case 

Spain is not immune to this difficult situation. What is happening at the European level is also reflected at the national level, aggravated by additional factors such as adverse weather conditions, a decline in domestic consumption, and increasing pressure from imports. 

In response to these challenges, many Spanish companies have invested in technology and packaging improvements. However, these actions have proven insufficient for domestic potatoes to compete effectively against imported products that reach the market at lower prices. This unfavorable situation also hinders generational renewal, increasing discouragement among potential new farmers year after year due to the pessimistic market outlook. 

Unequal competition from non-EU imports 

The market imbalance is exacerbated by the massive influx of potatoes from countries outside the European Union, such as Egypt, Israel, and Morocco. These imports offer considerably lower prices, displacing domestic production and making its sale almost unviable. In many cases, the local crop is never even harvested due to market saturation. 

In addition to the direct economic impact, the problem of unfair competition arises. Producers from non-EU countries are not required to comply with the rigorous standards imposed in Europe in terms of regulation and food safety. This creates a clear disadvantage for the potato.