Insights into the potential of potato production across Europe

Europe is an important potato producer, showing a strong decline in areas and increases in yield over the past decades, but with large regional differences. This study aims to characterise current European potato production by analysing yields, revealing yield gaps (Yg), and assessing key factors that explain actual (Ya) and potential yields (Yw, for rainfed systems; Yp, for irrigated systems). We selected 13 key potato producing countries, jointly accounting for 90​% of the European potato area. Local data were used to simulate Yw and Yp, while Ya was retrieved from sub-national statistics. Then, we analysed main factors affecting yields using boundary line analysis on nitrogen input and crop water availability. Results showed that European potato production on current acreage can increase by 55​% when yields would increase to 80​% of their potential. The largest potential production gains featured in eastern Europe (59​% Yg, 59​% of potato area), thereafter western Europe (32​% Yg, 25​% of potato area), and smallest gains in northern and southern Europe (43​% and 45​% Yg, with relatively small acreages of 9​% and 6​%, respectively). Our analysis revealed that nitrogen input was a limiting factor in eastern Europe, while we found substantial overuse in some western European countries. Under rainfed conditions, water was the main limiting factor in relatively few potato cultivation areas. In irrigated areas, e.g. in southern Europe, irrigation water requirements to approach Yp are large, which becomes increasingly challenging. Insights from this study can be used to guide future development and innovation in potato cultivation across Europe.