Criza pe care Europa n-a văzut-o venind: Gaură de milioane în recolta de cartofi, pierderile de adâncesc

Europe is facing one of its weakest potato harvests in decades due to extreme temperatures, drought, and reduced cultivation areas. In 2026, losses could exceed 3.5 million tons in monitored countries, with farmer damages surpassing 818 million euros. Production in Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the UK may fall 7 to 21% below the five-year average. Germany and France are expected to see the largest declines, with significant quality issues affecting half of the main processing variety. Farmers have drastically reduced potato cultivation areas following a record harvest in 2025, exacerbating the situation. The EU's total potato production for 2026 is estimated at 19.5 to 20.5 million tons, potentially marking the lowest harvest on record, leading to increased market tensions and price pressures.