Rimini, 19 May 2025 – The world is at a turning point regarding potato production. Climate change, rapidly spreading diseases, and pests have led to a decline in global production, which has caused a sharp rise in prices both in Europe and globally. This is one of the key takeaways from the International Potato Symposium held at the Macfrut trade fair in Rimini, attracting over 400 experts and attendees.
According to event coordinator Luciano Trentini, around 375 million tonnes of potatoes are produced globally each year, but that’s not enough to meet growing demand. “Italy, for example, is not self-sufficient and relies on imports from France for up to 50% of domestic consumption,” Trentini stated.
The symposium addressed pressing agronomic challenges. In addition to climate stress, wireworms (Agriotes spp.), the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum (which also affects tomatoes), and the invasive weed Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) – now classified as a quarantine organism – are all major threats.
Of particular interest was the topic of production organization. The EU has launched a new Common Market Organisation (CMO) for potatoes, mirroring the structure used for fruit and vegetables. Italy is currently the only country to have implemented this regulation, opening the door for potato producers to benefit from modernization and innovation programs.
While China leads global production with 95 million tonnes, followed by India and Ukraine, European production is dominated by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium. Nevertheless, average production has dropped over the past five years, leading to rising consumer prices.
In Italy, quality over quantity is the strategy. Six local potato varieties have protected designation of origin status, and new Italian varieties are being developed. Among them, ‘Fiorella’, with a three-month dormancy period, reduces the need for chemical treatments during storage. The hybrid variety ‘Morisa’, derived from the French ‘Gazelle’, yields up to 50 tonnes per hectare, well above the global average.
“Although Italian production is considered a niche, if potatoes were consumed more broadly, they could play a key role in the fight against world hunger,” Trentini concluded.
