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2021 Potato production. Preliminary statistics

Table potato production 15 percent less than in 2020

Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2021-12-07 9.30

The total production of table potatoes is estimated at 457 000 tonnes in 2021. This is 15 percent less than in 2020 and 12 percent less than the average in 2016–2020. The total production in 2021 is on a par with the historically low production in 2018 caused by summer drought that year.

The low production level in 2021 was partly due to a falling yield level. The yield per hectare, including new potatoes, is estimated at 30 590 kilos, which is 8 percent less than in 2020. The area under cultivation also decreased substantially. The crop area for table potatoes occupied 14 940 hectares. This is 1 200 hectares less than in the previous year and is the smallest crop area ever recorded in Sweden.

Unharvested area also contributed to the lower table potato production. The main reason for 330 hectares of unharvested area in 2021 was heavy rain that caused flooding, ruining the crops.

The total production of table potatoes in Skåne County and Halland County was 16 percent and 14 percent respectively less than last year. In Västra Götaland County and Östergötland County, production was 17 percent and 7 percent respectively less than last year. In Örebro County, production was 26 percent less than last year. In the remaining counties that reported results, the differences in harvest levels are within the margin of error.

Total production of starch potatoes was 8 percent more than last year

The total production of starch potatoes is estimated at 369 500 tonnes, which is 8 percent more than in 2020 and 18 percent more than the five-year average (2016-2020). These statistics include the production of starch potato for seed, which often have a lower yield potential.

The 2021 yield per hectare of starch potatoes is estimated at 41 950 kilos, which is on a par with both 2020 and the five-year average.

The estimated unharvested area of starch potatoes occupied 60 hectares. However, this figure remains uncertain, as some farmers have not yet completed their harvest and therefore were unable to report yield information.

The cultivation area of starch potatoes increased by 870 hectares compared with 2020 and occupied 8 810 hectares. Starch potatoes are cultivated mainly in Skåne County, Blekinge County, and Kalmar County.

Table potatoes. Total harvests 2012–2021
Production of potatoes in 2021. Preliminary data

Potatoes for starch. Total harvests 2012–2021
Production of potatoes in 2021. Preliminary data

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 2022.

Publication

A more detailed report on this survey is available on the Swedish Board of Agriculture website www.jordbruksverket.se under Statistik (in Swedish). 

Statistical databases

Time series with the final harvest statistics are available in Statistics Sweden’s statistical database and the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s statistical database. The Swedish Board of Agriculture’s statistical database also contains preliminary harvest statistics.

Next publishing will be

Final results for 2021 will be reported in April 2022.

Feel free to use the facts from this statistical news but remember to state Source: Statistics Sweden.

Statistical agency

Swedish Board of Agriculture

Telephone
+46 36 15 50 00
E-mail
statistik@jordbruksverket.se

Enquiries

Ann-Marie Karlsson

Telephone
+46 36 15 59 33
E-mail
ann-marie.karlsson@jordbruksverket.se

Producer

SCB, Agriculture and Energy

Enquiries

Gunnel Wahlstedt

Telephone
+46 10 479 62 45
E-mail
gunnel.wahlstedt@scb.se