Argentina (Tucumán): In 2025, the area dedicated to potato cultivation exceeded 9,000 hectares

Staff from the Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Horticulture departments of the Obispo Colombres Agroindustrial Experimental Station (EEAOC) conducted a survey of potato cultivation areas during the 2025 growing season in the foothills and plains of Tucumán. The results were compared with records from previous seasons. The report, prepared by Pablo Scandaliaris, Carmina Fandos, Javier Carreras Baldrés, and Aldo Beretoni, reveals a slight decrease in cultivated area compared to the previous season.

The analysis included multi-temporal methodologies, such as visual analysis methods, digital multispectral classification, GIS tools, and direct field observations to complement the data obtained.

Potato production is concentrated mainly in the southern part of Tucumán, where the agro-climatic conditions are favorable for its development. The departments involved are Chicligasta, Río Chico, Alberdi, La Cocha, and Graneros. According to the Agro-ecological Sketch of the province of Tucumán (Zuccardi and Fadda, 1985), 84% of the crop is established in the foothills, while the remaining 16% is located in the plains (Chaco-Pampean Plain and Depressed Plain).

Analysis of the last decade shows a progressive increase in potato production between 2016 and 2018, followed by a decline that reached its lowest point in 2020, the year coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. From then on, the cultivated area experienced a steady increase, reaching its historical peak in the 2024 season, before registering a slight contraction in the current season.

The final results indicate a 2% reduction in the area allocated to potato cultivation during 2025, which is equivalent to a decrease of approximately 140 hectares compared to the previous period.

The study used satellite images provided by the Sentinel 2 (A, B and C) teams captured between July and November of the previous year.

The 2025 growing season presented some notable characteristics. Among them was the absence of frost, a factor that is usually crucial for early plantings. However, the harvest faced delays due to spring rains that primarily affected the foothills, specifically in areas such as Las Tipas, Alto Verde, Los Sarmientos, Alpachiri, and El Molino.

In addition, the market went through a complex situation due to the low prices caused by an oversupply of the product.

In total, an estimated net area planted with potatoes in the foothills and plains of Tucumán was 9,120 hectares during the 2025 season.