Farmers demand measures against rice glass-winged grasshopper - German potato farms battle invasive pest as prices and protections falter
Germany's industry of potatoes faces a significant threat from the spreading leafhopper Hyalesthes obsoleta. Despite emergency approvals for plant protection products, including neonicotinoids, helping in the 2023 season, no regularly approved treatment for this pest is currently available. This, coupled with plummeting producer prices, has put the industry under strain.
Germany harvested a substantial 13.4 million tons of potatoes in 2023, nearly all of which were table potatoes, contributing to the country's nearly 100 percent self-sufficiency rate in this staple food. However, the spread of Hyalesthes obsoleta is causing concern. Emergency approvals have helped mitigate damage, but regular authorization for these substances can take up to two years. The German Potato Industry Association is actively seeking solutions across the supply chain to combat this threat.
With no regularly approved treatment for Hyalesthes obsoleta and potato producer prices dropping nationwide, Germany's potato industry is under pressure. The German Potato Industry Association is working diligently to find solutions, but the long authorization process for emergency-approved substances adds to the challenge.
