New data from the Northwest European Potato Producers group (NEPG) has found that the area dedicated to the production of potatoes is on the rise in northwest Europe, covering the countries of Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
NEPG said that production area had grown 4.6 per cent in 2017 when compared with the previous year, up to 578,821ha.
The greatest increase was seen in Belgium, where growing area climbed 5.4 per cent to 96,281ha, while France saw a rise of 5.1 per cent to 131,640ha.
Germany's potato cultivation area jumped 4.5 per cent to 171,900ha, while the Netherlands (+4.1 per cent to 75,800ha) and the UK (+4 per cent to 103,200ha) also enjoyed growth.
Despite this rise in growing area, NEPG said that it was no guarantee of greater volumes, and that rather the climatic conditions through the remainder of July and August would be the deciding factor.
Demand for the region's potatoes is set to climb this year to reach 750,000 tonnes, NEPG noted.
