Overview
- The agriculture ministry reports a 2025 harvest of about 13.4 million tonnes, roughly two million above the long‑term average, following an acreage increase to 301,000 hectares.
- Farm‑gate prices have slumped, with growers citing payouts of around 6–7 cents per kilogram and traders offering only €10–€15 per 100 kilograms for free potatoes.
- Processors’ warehouses are full, and the industry association BOGK says purchases of spot potatoes will resume only once new buyers for finished products are secured.
- Estimates of excess supply vary, with Unika’s Olaf Feuerborn putting the surplus near 2.4 million tonnes and other reporting citing about three million tonnes.
- Large volumes of edible potatoes are being sent to biogas plants—such as farmer Christian Schridde’s 400‑tonne delivery—while reporting highlights that potato growers received more than €48 million in EU and national payments.