Estonia

Potato cultivation is a traditional and integral part of Estonian agriculture, with production concentrated in central and southern regions such as Jõgeva, Tartu, Viljandi, and Põlva counties. These areas offer fertile soils, a moderate climate, and well-developed agricultural infrastructure, supporting both commercial farming and seed potato production. The Estonian Crop Research Institute (ECRI), formerly the Jõgeva Plant Breeding Institute, serves as the country’s principal institution for potato breeding, seed certification, and sustainable agrotechnology research. Since the 1920s, ECRI has developed over 47 potato varieties, including Kalev (1934), Jõgeva kollane (1946), Jõgeva varajane, Varmas, Juku, Anti, Piret, and Sarme. It also maintains Estonia’s national potato genebank and conducts essential research in plant protection, agrochemistry, and sustainable farming practices.

Several heritage and nationally significant varieties are conserved in museum and conservation gardens, such as Väike verev (“Small russet”), Jõgeva kollane—an iconic variety since 1946, and Sulev (1960), which once accounted for 80% of Estonia’s potato acreage. According to FAO statistics, Estonia produced approximately 79,300 tonnes of potatoes in 2023.

Potatoes arrived in Estonia in the mid-18th century via Baltic German manor estates and were initially cultivated in garden plots. Early adoption faced resistance from peasants due to the bitter taste of tubers and unfamiliarity with the crop, but government-led incentives in the 1840s helped promote potatoes as a reliable food source during periods of famine.

By the late 19th century, potatoes had replaced traditional staples like turnips and legumes, becoming a dominant crop. In the early 20th century, they were cultivated on about 25% of Estonia’s arable land—approximately 80,000 hectares—and were a major export to markets such as St. Petersburg, Finland, and Sweden. During the 1920s and 1930s, Estonia also exported seed potatoes to southern and Western Europe, as well as Argentina. Under Soviet rule, Estonia was often referred to as the “Potato Republic” due to the crop’s central role in both diet and agriculture.

Potatoes remain deeply embedded in Estonian culture, featuring prominently in the national dish Mulgipuder (a hearty mix of potatoes, pearl barley, and fried pork), which is recognized on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. A unique tradition during Jaanipäev (Midsummer) involves roasting ash-baked potatoes in the dying embers of bonfires, highlighting the crop’s cultural as well as culinary significance.