The European Commission (EC) reports that potato planting in the North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) region—including Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Poland—has progressed swiftly due to dry weather since late February. Germany and the Netherlands saw particularly early fieldwork, while France and Poland benefited from favorable March conditions.
However, Expana, a market intelligence service, warns that persistent rainfall deficits have reduced soil moisture in key regions like Poland, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. This could hinder crop emergence and early development, potentially lowering yields. In contrast, excessive rain in Portugal and Spain has delayed planting, highlighting the uneven impact of weather extremes.
Regional Challenges: Frost and Expanded Planting
In Romania, planting began on schedule but was disrupted by cold snaps and early-April frosts, which may damage initial plantings. Meanwhile, the Netherlands and Spain have increased their planted area compared to 2024, suggesting a potential supply boost—if weather conditions allow.
Market Reactions and Price Declines
Harry Campbell of Expana notes that while dry weather could affect yield potential later in the season, most planting is now complete, and an earlier harvest is expected. This anticipation, along with forecasts of a larger crop, has driven a sharp decline in potato prices.
As of 8 May 2025, Expana Benchmark Prices (EBPs) for Dutch processing potatoes fell to €140/metric tonne (MT), down 36.4% month-on-month and 62.7% year-on-year. Similar trends were observed in Belgium, reflecting market uncertainty amid shifting weather patterns.
UK Drought Concerns and Early Irrigation Demands
The UK has experienced its driest spring start in 69 years, prompting the Environment Agency to convene the National Drought Group on 7 May 2025. Farmers have begun irrigating earlier than usual, straining on-site water reserves.
David Exwood, NFU deputy president, stated:
“The dry conditions mean farmers are irrigating much earlier than normal. Extreme weather is disrupting our ability to produce food reliably.”
Balancing Early Planting with Yield Risks
While dry weather has facilitated rapid planting, the lack of soil moisture poses a significant risk to crop establishment and final yields. Price volatility and early irrigation demands further underscore the challenges of adapting to climate variability. Farmers and agronomists must monitor soil conditions closely and consider water-saving techniques to mitigate drought impacts.
