Potato Purchase Prices in Autumn 2026: From Zero to a Jump, and What Contracts Show

Within a year the European potato market turned around: in spring, processing potatoes were worth almost nothing, and in autumn prices jumped. Below is the price path and an explanation of why contract and open-market prices differ so much this year. Data up to early October 2026.

Spring: the price fell to zero

According to PotatoPro and other market sources, in April the open-market price of processing potatoes in Belgium had fallen to EUR 0, while maincrop potatoes were about EUR 10 per tonne in March. Last year's surplus and weak demand were the main reasons.

Autumn: a jump on the open market

According to Expana, the price of Fontane processing potatoes in Belgium (EXW) rose from EUR 10/t at the end of July to EUR 150/t in early August. On 25 September, Fontane was quoted at EUR 20 per 100 kg on Belgium's Belgapom exchange (that is EUR 200/t, or EUR 0.20/kg), and the PotatoNL quotation in the week of 21 September ranged from EUR 21 to 27.50 per 100 kg.

Contracts remain cheaper

A large share of the 2026 crop was contracted in advance, reflecting last year's surplus. According to DCA Market Intelligence, contracts for the 2026 crop were signed 15-25% cheaper than last year. CMB News reports that early contracts were about 25% cheaper and later deliveries 15-17%. As a result, processors' costs are still contained, while growers without a contract get considerably more on the open market. DCA analysts name February to April 2027 as the decisive period, when stocks and prices will become clear.

Poland: prices rise, but margins shrink

At the Bronisze wholesale market in Warsaw at the end of September, packed table potatoes cost PLN 0.66-1.00/kg and unpacked ones PLN 0.50-0.90/kg. Expensive fuel and logistics reduce growers' benefit from higher prices. Starch potato growers are in a weaker position: the 2026 price is about PLN 1.50 per kg of pure starch, against PLN 2.20-2.50 in 2025.

Lithuania

According to the Agricultural Data Centre, on 15-21 June unwashed, unpacked new-crop potatoes sold by growers averaged EUR 0.78/kg, packed Lithuanian potatoes in retail chains EUR 1.29/kg (EUR 1.48/kg a year earlier), and the asking price at markets was about EUR 2.23/kg. A farmer from the Marijampolė area told the newspaper Suvalkietis in September that the harvest is abundant this year and the price is the same as last year, but the actual price depends on the individual agreement with the buyer and the quantity. Farmers also complain about high fertilizer prices.

How to read these numbers

An exchange quotation and a contract are not the same thing: the open-market price shows the situation on a given day, while the contract price was agreed before the harvest. Prices in Belgium or Poland may also affect Lithuania, but the final price depends on yield, quality, storage and the agreement with the buyer. Before negotiating, it is worth knowing your own production cost and having several buyers.