Producers in Spain are expressing concerns at the outset of the potato campaign as imports from Egypt rise and domestic consumption declines. The average consumption per capita has dropped from 20 kg in 2019 to 18 kg in 2023, raising alarms within the industry. Alfonso Sáez, president of the Fepex potato committee, notes a slight decrease in production attributed to adverse weather conditions and plant health issues leading to increased seed rejections.
Climate challenges and a surge in frozen potato consumption have prompted producers to shift towards crops destined for processing rather than seed potatoes. Despite these challenges, producers in Seville anticipate a fruitful harvest following favorable rainfall during Easter week. Conversely, stability is expected in regions like the Basque Country and the Valencian Community.
The rise in potato imports from Egypt is another pressing issue for producers, with import volumes soaring from 2,463 tons in 2019 to 50,488 tons last year, marking a staggering 2,100% increase in value. Meanwhile, national potato consumption has witnessed an 11.7% decline over the past five years, while per capita consumption of frozen potatoes has seen a rise from 0.9 kg in 2019 to 1.13 kg in 2023.
Fepex and COAG attribute this shift to changing dietary habits, emphasizing convenience and potentially price as driving factors. The uptick in other forms of processed potato purchases indicates a notable evolution in consumption patterns within the Spanish market, posing new challenges for local producers.
