Spain: High temperatures accelerate the potato harvest and reduce yields

The potato harvest is not yet over in southern Spain, and it’s already beginning in Castile and León. In provinces like Valladolid and Salamanca, many producers are harvesting simultaneously, filling some warehouses to capacity. 

The plantings did not follow a staggered pattern, and in addition, the heat waves have accelerated the process, making some farms ready for harvest much earlier than expected, even before the end of August.

Varieties such as Colomba, known for its good health but relatively low yields, are being harvested. In some fields, tuberization has differed from last year, resulting in numerous tubers per plant, but of a small size, which could complicate their marketing.

Luis Corona, who planted the Agria variety in northern Ávila in early April, notes the lack of buyers and trucks collecting the potatoes. He observes that the plants have grown faster than expected.

The sector is facing a significant decrease in cultivated land, with reductions of nearly 10% in key areas. In Castile and León, for example, the area has decreased from 20,000 hectares to 17,500.

The key to this year lies not in production levels, but in the overlap between different growing regions and the influx of potatoes from other countries. Not only has France reduced its planted area by 10%, but the NEPG association, which includes producers from France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, also reports a decrease of 67,000 hectares. Lower prices and rising costs are also contributing factors.

Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), production in 13 states important for potato cultivation has decreased globally by 11,736 hectares, which represents 3.2% less than in the year 2025.