Due to this year’s unfavorable weather conditions, some potato growers in Latvia may face bankruptcy, Aiga Kraukle, Chair of the Board of the Latvian Association of Potato Growers and Processors, told LETA.
She emphasized that recovery from this year’s poor situation will take farmers more than a year, though the outcome will vary depending on each farm’s level of investment.
Kraukle noted that a significant increase in potato prices in stores is not expected, as Europe has had a good harvest this year.
However, this is bad news for Latvian growers, since their expenses were much higher due to the wet weather. As a result, potato prices at markets—where farmers sell their produce directly—will be higher, she said.
The potato harvesting season is still ongoing, as some fields remain too wet to dig, and in some areas the crop has already rotted. Kraukle estimated that at least 10% of the potatoes planted this year will not be harvested.
After the season ends, the association will survey its members to calculate the unharvested areas.
She also expressed concern about storage conditions this year, as potato skins are maturing slowly, requiring additional drying.
Potatoes harvested from wet fields may rot within weeks, while those dug from less damp soil and properly dried can be stored as usual.
As reported, on the 5th of August the Cabinet of Ministers declared a state of emergency in agriculture across Latvia until the 4th of November, 2025. In response, based on information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, the European Commission decided at the end of September to allocate 4.2 million euros in EU emergency support to Latvian farmers to mitigate the damage caused by adverse weather conditions.
The Latvian Association of Potato Growers and Processors, registered in 1997, aims to unite growers and processors, coordinate mutual activities for the defense of common interests, promote cooperation and market development, protect the domestic market, and represent members in dealings with state, administrative, and other institutions in Latvia and abroad.
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