Spain: The potato campaign begins in Castile and León.

The potato harvest in Castile and León has begun in the southern part of Valladolid province, in towns such as Carpio, Fuente el Sol, and Fresno el Viejo. It will spread to the rest of the region in the coming weeks. The UPA CyL (Union of Small Farmers of Castile and León) has requested fair  prices for producers, allowing them to cover the high production costs this season. 

Currently, harvesting is limited and concentrated in the plots with more advanced crops. However, it is expected to increase in intensity in the coming days as the potatoes reach their optimal ripeness. The quality outlook for the harvest is very promising.

Salamanca and Valladolid will continue to lead production, as they have the largest area dedicated to this crop. Across the entire region, the cultivated area reaches 17,500 hectares, about 2,000 hectares less than last year, when it reached 19,400 hectares.

The other pending harvest: the price

The UPA CyL insists on the need for fair prices that allow farmers to cope with the high production costs of this season. The agricultural organization has expressed its commitment to ensuring that buyers comply with the Food Chain Law, which prohibits paying producers below the cost of production. 

According to UPA CyL, despite the challenging weather and the high cost of inputs such as fertilizers and energy, producers in Castilla y León have worked professionally this season.

The organization has urged the regional community to consume potatoes from Castile and León, highlighting that, in recent months, consumers have had to resort to foreign potatoes due to the lack of options in supermarkets and large chains.

They also call on buyers and wholesalers to act responsibly by paying fair prices at the source. They further urge consumers to demand local products and request detailed information about the origin of the potatoes they buy.