ARRAS, France — March 8, 2026 — The European potato industry is entering a period of significant uncertainty as producers face rising costs, tighter regulations, and increasing global competition, according to remarks delivered recently at the 20th Congress of the National Union of Potato Producers (UNPT).
Speaking during the event in Arras, UNPT President Geoffroy d’Evry said the sector is shifting from managing growth to managing crisis, highlighting structural pressures that are reshaping the economics of potato production.
“Two years ago we were discussing how to manage growth. Today we are discussing how to manage crisis,” d’Evry told producers, policymakers and industry representatives.
Rising Production Costs and Market Pressure
According to the UNPT, potato producers have seen operating costs rise sharply in recent years. The organization estimates that farm production costs increased by around 45% between 2020 and 2025, driven by higher energy prices, input costs, and investment in modern equipment.
At the same time, growers face a volatile market environment characterized by large production volumes and slower market flows.
The situation has been compounded by the increasing concentration of global potato processing markets. Industry data cited during the congress indicates that three North American companies now control roughly 60% of the global frozen French fry market, creating additional pressure on upstream producers.
Climate and Regulatory Constraints
Beyond market dynamics, producers are also dealing with climate volatility and a growing number of regulatory constraints.
Changing weather patterns are increasing yield variability, while environmental policies are limiting the availability of crop protection products and water resources. Industry groups argue that the accumulation of regulations is making it harder for farmers to maintain productivity and profitability.
The UNPT warned that up to 30% of French potato acreage could be affected by new environmental restrictions related to water resources.
Contracting and Supply Chain Tensions
Another major issue raised during the congress was the growing tension between producers and downstream buyers.
UNPT officials said some farmers experienced situations where pre-contractual commitments were revised or questioned during the production season. The organization emphasized that stable contracts are essential to protect growers from market volatility.
“A contract must remove the parties from the market risk, not transfer all the risk to the producer,” d’Evry said.
Calls for Stronger Collective Organization
To address these challenges, the UNPT is advocating stronger collective organization among growers and reforms to European agricultural market regulations.
One proposal discussed during the congress would allow producers to join multiple producer organizations depending on the market segment they serve, such as fresh potatoes, chips, fries, or starch.
Support for these reforms has been championed in the European Parliament by Céline Imart, who has backed measures aimed at strengthening producer organizations within the European Union’s agricultural policy framework.
Future of the Potato Sector
Despite the difficulties facing the industry, UNPT leaders remain confident that the potato sector has a long-term future if structural issues are addressed.
The theme of the congress — “Potato 2030: still an ambition or already an illusion?” — reflected concerns about whether the sector can maintain profitability under current conditions.
According to the UNPT, ensuring the future of potato farming will require better market organization, stronger contracts, and policies that balance environmental goals with the economic realities faced by producers.
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Martin is a writer at Agrimachinery Africa specializing in agricultural machinery, mechanization trends, and farm technology across Africa. His work focuses on tractors, harvesting equipment, irrigation systems, and emerging innovations helping farmers improve productivity and efficiency. Through in-depth industry coverage, he highlights technologies shaping the future of modern agriculture.