France faces lowest potato yield in over 30 years as drought hits crops

France’s potato production is expected to fall at least 23% from last year as heat waves and severe drought hit crops, potentially resulting in the lowest yield in more than three decades, local media reported Monday.

France experienced five consecutive heat waves this summer, along with a severe rainfall deficit since late May and historically dry soils, significantly affecting potato crops.

“Last year, we were at just over 43.5 tonnes per hectare in 2025. And this year, for the moment, the projection is around 34.5 tonnes,” said Geoffroy D’Evry, president of the National Union of French Potato Producers.

“That’s even less than in 2022, when we were already at a historically low yield,” he added.

The anticipated decline comes after potato-growing areas were reduced by 10% in France and 11% across northwestern Europe following overproduction in 2025, French broadcaster RFI reported.

The French potato industry estimates that it has suffered nearly €400 million (about $466 million) in economic losses.

“The financial burden of climate change cannot be borne solely by the farmer. All of our buyers and customers need to understand that producing potatoes is expensive and risky,” D’Evry said.

He warned that the losses could also affect consumer prices.

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard announced on Aug. 5 that the government was preparing a “comprehensive plan” to assist farmers affected by repeated heat waves in France and elsewhere in Europe.

The proposed measures include emergency support for farm cash flow, relief on social security contributions, regulatory exemptions and assistance to help the hardest-hit farms resume production.

The government has yet to specify the amount of aid.

Arnaud Rousseau, president of France’s largest agricultural union, FNSEA, said on Aug. 8 that the farming sector would need “billions of euros” to recover from what he described as a climate crisis unprecedented in scale and duration.

Genevard said decisions on the allocation of assistance would have to wait until a meeting of prefects scheduled for Aug. 27.

The French Federation of Commerce and Distribution also announced measures to support farmers, including relaxing standards concerning the size and appearance of fruit and vegetables and prioritizing French-grown products.