Germany sees largest potato harvest in 25 years

Germany is set to harvest 13.4 million tons of potatoes this year, predicts the German Ministry of Agriculture BMLEH. Such a large harvest was last achieved in 2000. The ministry is much more optimistic about yields than the research center JRC of the European Commission. Last year, a record harvest of 12.7 million tons was already discussed. The hectare yields seem slightly smaller this year, but area growth pushes production to greater heights. The potato acreage has expanded by 6.7% this year to 301,000 hectares. This is the largest potato area in Germany since the turn of the century, reports the Ministry of Agriculture. The average yield per hectare is expected to be around 44 tons. That is 1% less than last year, but 5% above the multi-year average. Lower estimate in Mars report The research center JRC of the European Commission is less enthusiastic about German potato yields. In this week's Mars report, the commission predicts a yield of 41.3 tons per hectare. Both agencies agree on the harvest for 2024: an average of 45 tons per hectare. JRC had estimated 44.1 tons per hectare in May. Due to the dry and warm period in May and June, that expectation has been adjusted downward each month. This month's estimate is nearly 3 tons per hectare lower than in May. Very early startThe growing conditions for potatoes are significantly better in 2025 than in the previous two years, notes the ministry. After a wet winter, a dry spring followed, allowing the potatoes to be planted under excellent conditions. Growers could start with the early potatoes quite early. The large harvest results in lower prices. “Producers are currently receiving about one-third less for consumption potatoes from the main harvest than last year. Consumers paid about 15% less for potatoes in supermarkets in August 2025 than in August 2024,” says the ministry.