Europa: Ozone exposure in 2022 causes €680 million loss in European potato yields
The economic impact of these losses was significant, prompting the researchers to advocate for the continuation of high-resolution spatial modeling to accurately gauge and address the issue.
A study conducted by the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (Ineris) by researchers Simone Schucht, Frédéric Tognet, and Laurent Létinois, documents the economic and agricultural ramifications of tropospheric ozone exposure on potato yields across Europe in 2022. The research, published on 29 November 2024, indicates a loss of 3.2 million tons of potatoes, amounting to an economic deficit of €680 million.
Utilizing the PODy indicator, the study assessed potato yield losses at both regional and national levels, revealing Germany as the most affected country with losses of 933,000 tons (€197 million), followed by France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium. The average yield reduction across Europe was 4%, with Czechia, Slovenia, Germany, and France experiencing the highest percentage losses.
The economic impact of these losses was significant, prompting the researchers to advocate for the continuation of high-resolution spatial modeling to accurately gauge and address the issue. Despite a decrease in ozone levels compared to previous decades, the study underscores the ongoing need to mitigate ozone pollution to safeguard Europe’s potato production.
The findings serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of addressing air quality to protect agricultural outputs. The detailed analysis provided by the study is vital for policymakers, researchers, and farmers aiming to combat the adverse effects of ozone exposure on a key agricultural commodity.
Fuente: freshplaza.com
