Extreme weather conditions again this year determined the amount of crops and prices in the potato market.

According to Thomas Herkenrath, president of the German Potato Trade Association (DKHV), at the 68th International Autumn Potato Exchange, which took place on October 1 in Hamburg, climate change was felt by farmers in their daily work.

Experts believe that potato production this year at 10.4 million tons is likely to be 16.8% higher than the historically small crop in 2018, but the long-term average will be less by 1%.

Herkenrath noted that producers increased the cultivation area by 12.8% compared with the average annual figures.

According to him, potato cultivation in 2019 again suffered from extreme heat and drought. Despite the fact that it was not as strong as in the previous year, however, the Committee of Experts expects an average yield of only 37.7 tons / ha. in 2019, which is 5.8 tons or 13% less than the average for a long period.

According to the president of DKHV, in 2019, the area under potatoes also expanded in neighboring European countries. The average yield is estimated at 44.7 tons / ha. and therefore will be approximately 5% below the 5-year average.

In general, however, a reliable supply of processed goods can be assumed, Herkenrath explained.