The early potato season began as usual, with the first loose-skinned potatoes from Southern Baden reaching wholesale markets on May 20, followed by firm-skinned varieties for food retailers by June 10. However, by calendar week 26 (late June), sales plummeted alongside a severe heatwave sweeping across Europe.
Andreas Kopf, an agricultural trader from Bad Krozingen, reports: “We are now facing disillusionment. While regional food retail sales remain stable, interregional shipments and wholesale markets are struggling. The next two weeks will be critical.”
Why the Sudden Drop in Demand?
Kopf identifies several factors:
- The two-week Whitsun holiday in Baden-Württemberg reduced consumer purchases.
- The end of the asparagus season (June 24) shifted demand away from early potatoes.
- An unusually high supply of domestic early potatoes has flooded the market.
“Normally, southern regions harvest two to three weeks earlier, but this year, all growing areas hit the market simultaneously,” Kopf explains. Additionally, Spanish imports are still available in supermarkets, creating an unusual two-to-three-week overlap that further depresses prices.
Yield Variations and Weather Challenges
Early potato yields in Markgräflerland are mostly good, but variety-dependent:
- Below average: Annabelle (under plastic) and Glorietta
- Above average: Colomba and outdoor Annabelle
Weather has been a mixed blessing:
- Late May: Excessive rain and heavy downpours risked crop damage.
- June onward: Extreme heat (over 30°C daily) and drought stressed plants.
Fortunately, irrigation systems have mitigated quality losses, but the long-term impact remains uncertain.
Concerns for the Main Harvest
Kopf warns of potential challenges ahead:
- Tuber sizing issues: Mid-early varieties like Bernina may produce too many large tubers, while markets prefer small-to-medium sizes.
- Wireworm risk: Dry conditions increase the threat of wireworm infestations in stored potatoes.
- Market dependency: Demand from the Palatinate region and interregional shipments will dictate future pricing.
Adapting to a Volatile Market
The early potato sector is at a crossroads. Oversupply, extreme weather, and shifting demand require farmers to:
- Optimize storage to manage surplus and prevent spoilage.
- Monitor irrigation closely as heatwaves intensify.
- Diversify marketing strategies to reduce reliance on volatile wholesale markets.
With climate change increasing weather unpredictability, agronomists and farmers must collaborate to develop resilient potato varieties and sustainable farming practices.
