Spain: Potato planting is coming earlier in northern Castile and León

Optimus en papa: herramienta clave frente al riesgo de heladas en Córdoba

En el actual contexto productivo del cultivo de papa en la provincia de Córdoba, donde se registran condiciones predisponentes a heladas, estrés térmico y abundantes lluvias, el uso de herramientas fisiológicas cobra un rol central. The potato season in northern Castile and León begins this year with a landscape marked by climate uncertainty and the memories of recent challenging seasons. Although traditionally the optimal period for planting is between the end of April and, more commonly, during May, many farmers have decided to start earlier due to the current circumstances.

José Martín, a farmer in Aguilar de Campoo and representative of the family business Propacer, emphasizes the importance of respecting traditional calendars: normally in this area it starts towards the end of April, with May being the key month for these tasks.

The influence of the lack of rain  

The lack of rainfall has forced many farmers to change their plans. As Martín explains, with no rain on the horizon, some producers have opted to plant early, something unusual for this time of year. However, this early planting comes with risks, as low soil temperatures hinder seed germination and increase the crop’s vulnerability to fungi and diseases.

The memory of difficult previous seasons also influences these decisions. Two years ago, spring rains significantly delayed planting until May and even June, forcing harvesting in the middle of autumn, a particularly challenging time due to the rains. According to Martín, that year had a profound impact on farmers, many of whom still remember the difficulties they faced trying to harvest potatoes in November.

The dilemmas of anticipating the crop 

Although some have already opted to plant earlier, Martín expresses caution. He points out that planting earlier presents significant agronomic challenges, such as increased effort from the plants to develop properly and greater exposure to diseases that can compromise the harvest. Therefore, although he plans to begin planting soon, he intends to do so in plots located further south, where soil conditions are somewhat more favorable.

Market uncertainty  

In addition to weather-related issues, farmers face uncertainty regarding the market situation. There is concern about a potential oversupply caused by the overlap between early potatoes from the south and production from the north. This situation could lead to a drop in prices and jeopardize profitability for producers. Given this scenario, some are considering delaying sales until after the initial season and opting to market their potatoes at the beginning of the following year.

Challenges from the previous season persist, with large quantities of product in storage reflecting sluggish market activity. According to Martín, some growers are barely covering costs at current prices, adding another layer of tension as this new harvest begins. However, he emphasizes the commitment to maintaining high quality standards, especially for varieties intended for frying.

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A challenging year conditioned by multiple factors  

Given this scenario, the 2026 season presents a challenge that will require carefully balancing climatic conditions, past lessons learned, and market realities. In a context where every decision carries considerable weight in the final outcome, climatic and commercial uncertainties appear to be altering even the most deeply rooted traditions of the agricultural sector in Castile and León.