Drought and extreme heat threaten to cut French potato harvest by 23%

French potato growers are bracing for a significant downturn in their harvest this year, with projections indicating a contraction of around 23% compared to last year. This sharp decline is attributed to exceptional water deficits and multiple episodes of extreme heat that have plagued the country in recent months. The anticipated losses are estimated to cost the sector at least 400 million euros.

The National Union of Potato Producers (UNPT) released a statement detailing the grim outlook. Their estimates suggest the national average yield for potatoes intended for consumption will fall to 37.4 tons per hectare. This figure is considerably lower than the 43.5 tons recorded in 2025 and falls short of the five-year average of 43.1 tons per hectare. Such a yield would represent the lowest level in more than three decades.

Given the projected economic impact, the UNPT is calling on the French government to establish an immediate and extraordinary support mechanism to aid the most affected farms. Producers warn that this season could become one of the worst on record for potato production in France, potentially exceeding the damage caused by the severe drought experienced in 2022. The situation underscores the vulnerability of French agriculture to increasingly extreme weather conditions.