Northwest Europe Potato Market Faces Major Oversupply as Production Surges by 5 Million Tonnes

The potato market in Northwest Europe is facing significant pressure due to oversupply, prompting calls for a major reduction in cultivated acreage. According to potato ambassador Jan van Hoogen, the rapid expansion in potato production has created a market imbalance that the industry must address.

Van Hoogen noted that by 2025, more than 600,000 hectares of ware potatoes were being grown across Northwest Europe—about 100,000 hectares more than in 2022. This increase has resulted in roughly 5 million additional tonnes of potatoes entering the market, far exceeding demand.

Jan van Hoogen, Potato Ambassador:

"Then you are talking about 5 million tons of potatoes. The market can't handle that."

The increase in supply means that by 2026, potato availability in the region is estimated to be about 5 million tonnes higher than it was three years ago. As a result, the coming year is expected to be challenging for growers and processors alike.

Jan van Hoogen:

"Next year will be exciting. Sales will be a major challenge, especially in the offshore period. After that, there will gradually be more relaxation in the potato market and the situation will improve again. It’s a matter of finding a new balance."

At a meeting for arable farming relations of accountancy firm Countus in Emmeloord last week, former Agrico director Van Hoogen gave his vision of the current potato market. The theme of the evening was 'being an arable farmer in a challenging market'. 

Van Hoogen presents himself as a potato ambassador. In that position, he paints a picture of a market that is back to square one after a number of good years and where a new balance is being sought.

Jan van Hoogen:

"We live in a troubled world, but we have experienced situations like this before. It always works out, also with the potato market. Because in the end, you have to eat anyway."

To explain the problems in the French fries market, the potato ambassador looks back on the year 2022. At that time, the EU4 countries – the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France – together grew just over 500,000 hectares of ware potatoes. During that period, Belgian French fries manufacturers in particular expected a shortage of raw materials for their processing lines and high contract prices were offered for the 2023 growing season.

Jan van Hoogen:

"At the time, Afland was paid 17.50 euros per 100 kilos on contract for Fontane. The result was a huge expansion of the acreage. At that time, there were also seed potato growers in the Netherlands who chose to grow more French fries potatoes because of the favourable contracts."

Van Hoogen uses figures to show that more potatoes have been grown in recent years, especially in France and also in Germany and Belgium. The consumption area in the EU4 countries rose to no less than 608,000 hectares in 2025. 

This expansion of the acreage and the additional production of 5 million tons turned out to be too much for the potato market.

Jan van Hoogen:

"About a year ago, panic broke out. The trees seemed to grow into the sky, but the reality was different. Now the industry is taking a step back because there is more competition abroad than expected. New construction plans are being postponed, processing volumes have been scaled back and so are contract prices and volumes."

Be patient for two years

Van Hoogen's message to potato growers is that they have to take a step back in acreage and that patience is a virtue for the next two years. 'Be keen on the money and make conscious choices,' he advises Countus' customers. He is optimistic for the longer term. He points out that potato consumption worldwide is increasing by 2 to 4 percent per year. 

Jan van Hoogen:

"The potato has developed into one of the most important food sources. The conditions for growing potatoes in the Netherlands in an efficient and sustainable way are excellent. Furthermore, we have a perfect infrastructure here, which the growers can benefit from. The future of potato cultivation is really bright."