Potato seed

The EU has approximately 1.7 million hectares of potatoes. Potato seed is produced on approximately 120,000 hectares.

There are more than 1500 potato varieties listed in the European Common Catalogue. As 95% of the potato breeding companies are located in the EU 28, it means that the vast majority of the known potato varieties have their origin in this part of the world.

The main markets are table potatoes, French fries, crisps and starch. However, in the past decades several smaller markets have been developed such as, for example, organic potatoes, bakers, fast food, precooked and salads.

The export of (seed) potatoes and potato products from the EU to other parts of the world plays an important role.

Did you know? 15 years ago the processing industry produced 450 grams of French fries out of 1 kg potato. Today potato plant breeders have been able to improve the recovery rate to 550 grams / kg.