Potato harvests increase in 2023 but long-term decline persists

Cyprus witnessed a modest increase in potato production in 2023, with 95,000 tonnes harvested, marking a 5.6% rise from the previous year, according to recent data from Eurostat, the European Union's statistical office. However, the harvest still fell short of 2021 levels, which saw nearly 99,000 tonnes produced, highlighting a continuing downward trend over the years.

The overall EU trend reflects a long-term decline in potato production, with 2023 seeing a slight rebound across the bloc. In total, 48.3 million tonnes of potatoes were harvested in the EU, up from 47.5 million tonnes in 2022. Despite this increase, EU-wide production has decreased significantly since 2000, when 76.2 million tonnes were harvested—a drop of 36.7%.

In Cyprus, the decline is also apparent when looking at the broader timeline. The island's potato production has fallen by 18.8% since 2000, when it recorded 117,000 tonnes.

Germany led the EU in potato production in 2023, accounting for 24% of the total harvest with 11.6 million tonnes. France and the Netherlands followed, contributing 17.9% and 13.4% respectively, together representing more than half of the EU's potato output.

The Eurostat report also highlighted the limited adoption of organic farming methods for potato production within the EU. As of 2020, only 2.5% of EU farms producing potatoes did so organically. Cyprus was among the countries with the lowest share, with just 0.7% of its potato farms following organic practices, far behind Austria's leading 25.6%.

While the increase in Cyprus's 2023 potato harvest provides some relief, the long-term decline underscores the challenges facing the island's agricultural sector in maintaining production levels amidst changing environmental and economic conditions.

[With info from CNA]