Bologna Potato Exchange: production shortages and rising costs will send prices soaring

From the meeting of the Joint Committee of the Bologna Potato Exchange last 28 August, devoted to analysing the production and commercial situation of the sector ahead of the imminent start of the new marketing campaign, several critical issues emerged.

Heatwaves

An initial interesting analysis highlights a drastic reduction in potato availability, caused by repeated heatwaves that affected not only Italy but also the main producing countries of Northern Europe, including France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The high temperatures (above 35/40 degrees) and drought – prolonged over time – had a negative impact on crop development, resulting in a sharp reduction in availability and a smaller tuber size. Initial estimates indicate an decline in average European production of between between 15% and 20%. The significant reduction in the area under cultivation, estimated at European level at approximately11 % of the total, is also contributing to the decline in European production.

Rising prices

The evidence of this situation is already reflected in market dynamics, with a rise in prices for commercial transactions between individual countries which, considering the time of year, is already quite substantial. In addition, account must be taken of theincrease in production costs borne by agricultural entrepreneurs in this 2026, due in particular to increases in the cost of fuel and fertilisers, which are now available only at prohibitive prices. These expenses must also be supplemented by those associated with preparing the product for market, burdened by rising energy costs for refrigerating the potatoes, those relating to packaging for more accurate product selection, as well as expenses resulting from higher transport costs, etc.

In light of this scenario, the operators on the Joint Committee of the Bologna Potato Exchange express concern about the market's development and anticipate that prices for premium and packaged supply-chain potatoes will need to be adjusted, starting with the next meetings of the Potato Exchange.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.