Spain: Castile and León asserts its leadership in seed potato production
The Director General of Agricultural and Livestock Production has highlighted the work of the Albillos Agricultural Plant Variety Control Center in the official certification of seed potatoes, which, during 2024, involved the performance of 6,800 ana
The Director General of Agricultural and Livestock Production, Rubén Serrano, visited the Agricultural Plant Variety Control Center, located in the Burgos town of Albillos. There, he highlighted its important work in the official certification of seed potatoes, ensuring that Castilla y León continues to lead the country in terms of acreage devoted to this crop.
Specifically, the laboratory, which operates under the Regional Government, performed 6,800 analyses on plant reproductive material last year. This test is essential for issuing the corresponding plant health passport, which allows its sale throughout Spain and the rest of the European Union Member States.
This center, in collaboration with the Diagnostic Center of Aldearrubia in Salamanca, is responsible for the inspection, control, and certification of the seed potato production process, the analysis and diagnosis of potential pathologies, as well as the tests necessary to verify the quality of the production of authorized growers and their qualifications.
Serrano, who expressed his support for the work carried out by the ten professionals at this center—including technicians, administrative staff, laboratory analysts, and field inspectors—remarked that, in addition to growing seed potatoes, this unit’s goals include protecting other plant species from damage caused by pests and diseases.
Finally, the director took the opportunity to announce that a meeting has been convened with seed potato producing entities for April 9th to promote the use of digital tools to enhance relations between the government and the sector.
Seed potatoes in Castile and León
Last year, producers in Castile and León dedicated almost 1,200 hectares to seed potato cultivation, placing the region at the top of the national list, accounting for 66% of the total area cultivated for this crop. According to the latest official data, 22,525 tons of seed potatoes were certified in Spain, 65% of which came from Castile and León.
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