In a bid to ensure Spanish potatoes grace the shelves year-round, the agricultural sector has adopted innovative strategies. One such method, the double harvest system, has enabled the continued presence of Spanish potatoes throughout the winter, primarily sourced from the regions of Murcia and Andalucía. Referred to as “verdete” potatoes, these crops have recently been harvested, yet will remain available for several more weeks.
To delve into this production method and the sector’s evolution during this campaign, AgroNews conducted an interview with Juan Manuel Coello, Director of Operations at Patatas Meléndez.
“How has the verdete campaign fared?” Coello explains that verdete potatoes are second crops typically cultivated in specific regions of Spain, where climate, irrigation, and soil conditions permit. Patatas Meléndez commenced harvesting this variety in December 2023 and January 2024, concluding fieldwork two weeks ago, though these potatoes will persist on shelves until mid-March.
Coello expresses satisfaction with the campaign’s outcome, citing high-quality production despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall, which reached up to 100 liters per square meter in some areas.
“Is this potato type attractive to farmers?” Coello acknowledges the appeal to farmers due to relatively lower production costs compared to spring-summer crops, and despite lower yields, he notes that profitability incentivizes continued cultivation.
” How many hectares of verdete has Patatas Meléndez harvested?” Approximately 300 hectares across Murcia and Andalucía, primarily for the domestic market. Coello anticipates new potato harvesting in late April in these regions, driven by strong demand both domestically and abroad.
“Could seed availability hinder this campaign?” Coello highlights the dwindling availability and quality of seed potatoes, necessitating unconventional practices like seed cutting. He emphasizes the need for industry-wide measures to address this issue.
Coello underscores the increasing European demand for Spanish potatoes, attributing this to the sector’s professionalism and the country’s ability to supply high-quality produce even during unconventional periods.
In conclusion, the Spanish potato industry’s adoption of innovative techniques like the double harvest system not only sustains year-round availability but also positions Spanish potatoes as a sought-after commodity in both domestic and international markets.
