For Niedersachsen’s potato growers, 2024 will be remembered as a record-breaking year. According to Thorsten Riggert, a crop expert with Landvolk Niedersachsen, this year’s harvest has exceeded expectations, even in the face of wet conditions that brought increased threats from blight. Early season predictions of a substantial yield increase have come to fruition, with output in the region expected to rise by a double-digit percentage over last year.
This surge in production is largely attributed to an increase in cultivated land, which was made feasible by high producer prices and the unusual planting conditions. With autumn rains preventing the sowing of winter crops, many farmers turned to potatoes as an ideal alternative to optimize their fields. The Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) reports that the total potato harvest in Germany is estimated at 12.7 million tons for 2024, marking a 9% increase over 2023 and a remarkable 17% above the multi-year average.
Niedersachsen, as the largest potato-producing region in Germany, contributed nearly half of this figure. The state alone is expected to harvest approximately 6.3 million tons, a 15% rise from the previous year, for the first time contributing over half of Germany’s total potato production. The overall German potato acreage in 2024 stood at 289,300 hectares, with nearly 50% of this area in Niedersachsen, reflecting the state’s pivotal role in the national potato supply.
Although the wet spring caused planting delays and created ongoing challenges in some fields, the potatoes benefited from the favorable cycle of rain and sun. Riggert noted that while some crops still await harvest, the quality has proven to be better than initially feared. However, the high soil moisture could limit the storage life of some potatoes, posing potential issues for farmers who plan to hold their stock.
Early in the season, prices were favorable for producers, but the high supply ultimately led to a price drop as the harvest progressed. This market saturation is likely to normalize in the coming year, with Riggert predicting a return to 2023’s cultivated acreage levels. While consumer demand through retail has largely been met, the processing sector still shows room to absorb more of the supply.
With Germany’s potato production achieving significant growth, the 2024 harvest is an encouraging example of how adaptive measures, market responsiveness, and favorable weather patterns can drive exceptional yields, even in challenging seasons.
Niedersachsen’s potato harvest in 2024 sets a new benchmark, highlighting the resilience of the region’s farmers and the importance of market adaptability. Despite a decline in prices, the record harvest reaffirms Niedersachsen’s role as Germany’s potato powerhouse. Moving forward, aligning production with demand will be key to maintaining economic stability in the sector.
