2020 Potato production. Preliminary statistics
Table potato yield on a par with 2019 – total production of starch potatoes increased
Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2020-12-04 9.30
The 2020 yield per hectare of table potatoes is estimated at 33 250 kilos. This is on a par with 2019, but 7 percent higher than the average in 2015-2019. The five-year average has been held back by the low yield in 2018 caused by summer drought that year.
Total production of table potatoes is on a level with last year
The total Swedish production of table potatoes is estimated at 542 500 tonnes in 2020. This is on a level with 2019 and 5 percent more than the five-year average. The total production in Norrbotten County was 8 percent more than last year, while in other counties, the change in production compared with 2019 lies within the margin of uncertainty. The crop area for table potatoes, which is used to calculate the total production, amounted to 16 320 hectares in 2020. This is also on a level with last year.
Table potatoes refers to potatoes grown as new potatoes and late varieties cropped for direct human consumption, as well as potatoes for processing used in the production of crisps, french fries and more. Fodder and seed potatoes are also included.
New potatoes account for almost 13 percent of the production
Just over 69 000 tonnes (which corresponds to 13 percent of the total production) harvested as early potatoes are included in the total production. The yield per hectare is lower for new potatoes than for varieties harvested later in the season and the yield is estimated at 22 350 kilos per hectare. Around 19 percent of the table potato area in Sweden was destined for new potato production.
Total production of starch potatoes is 12 percent over the five-year average
The total production of starch potatoes is estimated at 336 200 tonnes, which is 8 percent more than in 2019 and 12 percent more than the last five-year average. The 2020 yield per hectare of starch potatoes is estimated at 42 760 kilos per hectare. These statistics include the production of starch potato for seed, which often have a lower yield potential. The cultivated area with starch potatoes increased by 500 hectares compared with 2019 and amounted to 7 860 hectares. Starch potatoes are cultivated mainly in Skåne County, Blekinge County, and Kalmar County.
Note that the graphs use different scales.
Definitions and explanations
These yield and production statistics are based on data on all forms of cultivation that occur in Sweden. Yield and production statistics on organic and conventional cultivation will be reported in June 2021.
Publication
A more detailed report on this survey is available on the Swedish Board of Agriculture website www.jordbruksverket.se under Statistik (in Swedish).
Next publishing will be
Final results for 2020 will be reported in April 2021.
Statistical Database
More information is available in the Statistical Database
Feel free to use the facts from this statistical news but remember to state Source: Statistics Sweden.