When to Order Seed Potatoes for Next Season – and Why It's Not Too Early

As soon as this season's harvest begins, it's already worth thinking about the next one – the certified seed material market runs on a different rhythm than the table potato trade, and those who order latest usually end up with the smallest selection.

Why seed material isn't the same product as table potatoes

Certified seed potatoes must meet strict quality requirements – tested for diseases and viruses, guaranteed to be true to variety, and carrying an official certificate. Such seed is grown under specific disease-control programs, and the quantity available each season is limited – growers can't produce a single tuber more than their certified area allows.

What happens if you order late

The most popular varieties and largest fractions (for example, larger tubers intended for planting) sell out first – late orders are often left with only less popular varieties or less convenient fractions. For anyone planning a large area or a specific use (such as processing or starch production), ordering late can mean the required quantity of a particular variety simply won't be available.

When it's best to plan

Right after this season's harvest, in autumn, the actual quantity and quality of next season's seed is already visible – this is the best time to decide on varieties, quantity, and fractions, then confirm the order in winter or early spring while there's still selection. Ordering late, right before planting season (April–May), often means compromising on variety or waiting until the following season.

What to think through before ordering

It's worth deciding a few things in advance: what the potatoes are being grown for (fresh consumption, processing, or further seed production), which fraction suits your planting equipment, and whether the planned variety fits your soil and climate conditions. If you're planning to transition to organic farming, you'll also need to make sure the seed material carries a certificate that meets organic requirements, not just a standard seed certificate.