Association: Also in Brandenburg, Potato Surplus to be Distributed - Brandenburg’s 4,000-Ton Potato Surplus Sparks Food Waste Debate
A massive potato surplus in Brandenburg has left farmers with thousands of unsold tons. The glut has sparked calls to redirect the produce to those in need rather than let it go to waste. Welfare groups and activists are now pushing for a coordinated effort to distribute the potatoes across the region. This year’s harvest in Brandenburg saw farmers collect 403,100 metric tons of potatoes from around 11,400 hectares. Yet, with 4,000 metric tons still unsold and stored at a farm south of Leipzig, the market is overwhelmed. The oversupply has led to a campaign by Berliner Morgenpost and Ecosia to give away 4 million kilos of potatoes in Berlin alone. The Volkssolidarität Brandenburg welfare group is urging the state to step in. They want the surplus sent to social facilities, kindergartens, and schools instead of being discarded or turned into biogas. Katharina Slanina, the organisation’s chair, insisted, 'Potatoes belong on plates—not in biogas plants.' Her group argues that edible food should feed people, not fuel energy plants, especially when many rely on food aid. Farmers, however, see the issue differently. Henrik Wendorff, head of the Brandenburg Farmers’ Association, acknowledged the goodwill behind the proposal but called it unsustainable. 'Farmers need to make a living from their produce,' he said. The welfare group is now pushing for a statewide plan involving policymakers, farmers, and social services to manage the surplus fairly. The debate highlights the tension between reducing food waste and ensuring fair pay for farmers. With 4,000 metric tons still in storage, the outcome will depend on whether a distribution plan can be agreed upon. For now, the potatoes remain untouched while discussions continue.
