The agricultural organisation warns that the massive entry of French storage potatoes is putting pressure on prices for Spanish early potatoes, which are already being paid below production costs.
In a statement, COAG says these operators have taken advantage of the June tourism boom to purchase low-quality French surplus at prices of between 15 and 20 cents per kilo, causing strong pressure on national production.
According to COAG, this situation has pushed the price of Spanish new potatoes down to 25-30 cents per kilo, below the 35-40 cents it costs to produce them. The organisation warns that freshly harvested potatoes in Murcia, especially in the Campo de Cartagena, and in Andalusia, which in June should be at their peak demand, are “piling up in the fields with no outlet”.
Losses for growers
COAG estimates that growers are losing between €100 and €150 per tonne, while the hospitality channel is using potatoes stored in cold rooms from the previous season.
“While tourists eat a Spanish omelette in a bar made with potatoes stored in cold rooms since last year, which darken and fall apart when fried,” the organisation denounces.
COAG’s potato representative, Alberto Duque, stresses that “while hotels, bars and restaurants across Spain are experiencing one of their best Junes in years, the growers producing the potatoes used to make those omelettes are on the brink of ruin”.
France accounts for 73% of imports
Currently, almost three out of every four kilos of potatoes imported into Spain come from France, representing 73% of the total, according to data provided by COAG. The organisation also points out that imports of French potatoes increased by 23% in the last season.
Over the longer term, COAG estimates that imports of French potatoes have grown by 33% in ten years, reaching 941,000 tonnes in 2025.
Call to Horeca, distribution and the Ministry
In response to this situation, COAG is calling on major wholesale markets, Horeca channel operators, distribution chains operating in Spain and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to prioritise Spanish new potatoes on their shelves during the campaign months: May, June and July.
The organisation considers it necessary to move towards the progressive removal of French storage potatoes while national production is available in sufficient quantity and quality.
COAG is also calling for clear and visible labelling of the product’s origin and condition, so that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.
Fair prices and promotion of national product
The agricultural organisation is asking the Ministry to act urgently by strengthening control mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Food Chain Law, guaranteeing fair prices above real production costs.
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COAG is also calling for joint campaigns to promote the consumption of Spanish new potatoes, highlighting their freshness, nutritional properties, culinary quality and contribution to national agriculture and rural areas.
