Bologna Potato Exchange: production shortages and rising costs will send prices soaring
Bologna Potato Exchange: production shortages and rising costs will send prices soaring
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The meeting of the Joint Commission 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, revealed several critical issues.
Heatwaves
A first interesting analysis highlights a drastic reduction in potato availability, caused by repeated heatwaves that have affected not only Italy but also the main producing countries in Northern Europe, including France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The high temperatures (above 35/40 degrees) and drought – prolonged over time – have negatively affected crop development, resulting in a sharp reduction in availability and smaller tuber sizes. Initial estimates indicate a decline in average European production of between 15% and 20%. The significant reduction in the area under cultivation, estimated at European level at approximately 11 % of the total, is also contributing to the decline in European production.
Rising prices
Evidence of this situation is already reflected in market dynamics, with an increase in prices for commercial transactions between individual countries which, given the period, is already rather high. In addition, account must be taken of the increase in production costs borne by farmers 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 added to those associated with preparing the product for the market, which is burdened by increases in energy costs for refrigerating the potatoes, those relating to packaging for more careful selection of the goods, as well as the increased cost of transport, etc.
In light of this scenario, the operators of the Joint Commission of the Bologna Potato Exchange express concern about the development of the market and expect that prices for premium and packaged supply-chain potatoes will need to be adjusted, starting with the next sessions 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.
