Potato harvest 2026 – average yields down about 15%
The 2026 potato harvest is fast coming to a conclusion.
Field work continues apace in some parts of the country: the north-east, Donegal and Northern Ireland.
However, the coming days should see all harvesting operations completed.
Teagasc potato specialist, Shay Phelan commented: “The continuing dry weather and excellent ground has helped growers to push on with this year’s harvest.
“We estimate that average yields are down between 15% and 16%, year on year.
"Where Rooster crops are concerned, this would bring the actual figures down to between 15t and 16t/ac.”
“But in a number of cases yield reductions were extremely high, up to 50% in some cases."
"This was a direct result of the drought conditions that impacted the country throughout the entire summer period," he added.
According to Phelan, the availability of irrigation equipment made a key difference in determining both on-farm yields and potato quality in 2026.
He commented: “We estimate that one-in-three Irish potato growers have access to irrigation systems. But, for a number of reasons, these grower cannot use the equipment on all of the crops.
“So, this brings the proportion of the national crops that was consistently irrigated this year down to a figure of around 20%."
There is also a significant cost incurred by potato growers in irrigating their potato crops.
Initial harvest results confirm that many potato crops did recover, to some extent on the back of the significant rain that fell during September and October.
Some fields recovered well post the drought. However many crops that were not irrigated fields never recovered.
Potato markets
Meanwhile, potato markets across Europe continue to reflect the impact of the weather extremes incurred by growers throughout the 2026 growing season.
In Ireland the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is reporting that retail sales and consumption remain unchanged.
There is good demand for pre-pack quality material at the present time.
Across Europe, there is still ‘ex field’ loading taking place. However lifting is now 90% complete with yield reductions plainly visible.
In the processing sector, loading contracts are still a priority and free buy is still of limited interest.
Significantly one major buyer has increased its base price over recent days.
In the UK there is very little pressure from growers to sell. However buyers are trying harder to reduce ex farm prices for all but the very best potatoes.
