In 2025, Spain’s potato area reached 66,660 hectares, up from 60,947 hectares in 2024 and 59,219 hectares in 2023. This represents a 9% increase compared with the previous year and a 12% rise over the past three years.
Despite this recovery in planted area, production has not followed the same upward trend. Spanish potato output stood at 1.92 million tonnes in 2023, increased by 2.6% to 1.97 million tonnes in 2024, and then fell slightly to 1.95 million tonnes in 2025, down 1.2% year-on-year.
According to Fepex, these figures show that the recent increase in cultivated area has not yet translated into a significant rise in production, pointing to a degree of volatility in yields.
A crop with a long-term decline in area
The recent increase in potato area contrasts with the sharp decline recorded since the 1990s. In 1990, Spain had 271,281 hectares devoted to potato cultivation, but the crop area fell steadily for decades until the slight recovery observed in recent years.
This evolution reflects the structural challenges faced by the sector, including production costs, competition, changing consumption patterns and the pressure of imports.
Spain remains a net importer
Spain continues to be a net importer of potatoes. In 2025, imports reached 1.27 million tonnes, down 1.5% compared with 2024. However, over the past three years, imports have increased by 16%, rising from 1.09 million tonnes in 2023 to 1.27 million tonnes in 2025.
France remains Spain’s main supplier by a wide margin. In 2025, Spanish imports from France amounted to 941,379 tonnes, slightly below the 955,870 tonnes recorded in 2024, but well above the 773,011 tonnes imported in 2023.
This means that 73.7% of Spain’s potato imports in 2025 came from France.
Portugal gains ground as a supplier
The Netherlands was Spain’s second-largest supplier in 2025, with 82,717 tonnes, accounting for 6.5% of total imports.
Portugal ranked third and continued to gain market share. Spanish imports of Portuguese potatoes reached 72,268 tonnes in 2025, compared with 64,041 tonnes in 2024 and 53,278 tonnes in 2023. This represents a 13% increase compared with 2024 and a 36% rise over three years.
RELATED NEWS: Potato: acreage adjustment in 2026?
Among non-EU suppliers, Egypt has also stood out for its recent growth, with Spanish imports reaching 38,998 tonnes in 2025.
Exports fall after previous growth
Spanish potato exports declined in 2025 after the growth recorded in previous years. Exports totalled 354,845 tonnes, down 11% compared with the 398,479 tonnes shipped in 2024. In 2023, exports had reached 393,094 tonnes.
Portugal remained the main destination for Spanish potatoes in 2025, with 152,268 tonnes. France ranked second, with 77,253 tonnes, followed by Italy, with 42,269 tonnes, according to data from the Customs and Excise Department analysed by Fepex.
Potatoes to take centre stage at Fruit Attraction
Potatoes will have a prominent role at the next edition of Fruit Attraction, organised by Ifema Madrid and Fepex. The fair, which will hold its 18th edition from 6 to 8 October, will highlight the importance of the potato sector for food security and the promotion of a healthy diet.
The sector reaches this new edition with a mixed picture: a recovery in cultivated area, stable production, strong import dependence and a need to continue strengthening its position within both domestic and international markets.
