As a result, the island’s main potato crop is now highly dependent on weather conditions, with nearly 30 million kilos expected later in the year. The delay could also compress the harvest into a shorter timeframe, increasing the risk of market oversupply.
Continuous rainfall since November
Persistent rainfall since November has filled reservoirs, replenished groundwater reserves and flooded agricultural land across the island. While water availability has improved, the intensity and duration of the rains have made planting extremely difficult, particularly in areas where soils were already saturated. Over a recent three-day period, rainfall totals reached 94 liters per square meter in Valleseco, 84 in Teror and 77 in San Mateo, adding to already high levels recorded over the past two months.
Planting almost at a standstill
Potato planting has nearly come to a halt, as soaked soils significantly increase the risk of tubers rotting in the ground. This situation represents a major financial risk for growers, as the summer campaign accounts for 60% to 70% of annual production. According to Armando Rodríguez, a technician at the island’s Cabildo and a potato producer, only limited planting has taken place so far, mainly in areas such as Telde and Guía where drainage is faster. “Very little, if anything, has been planted. With all the water accumulated, even a few liters of rain would be enough to flood the land again,” he stated.
Harvest expected to shift to late summer
Under normal conditions, planting begins in January and continues through March, with harvesting taking place between May and July after roughly four months in the ground. Given the current field conditions, harvesting is now expected to begin between August and September. Growers are waiting for soils to dry sufficiently before resuming land preparation. “We have to wait for the soil to dry before we can work it, because it is already saturated with water,” Rodríguez added.
Risk of concentrated harvest and price pressure
Gran Canaria dedicates nearly 700 hectares to potato cultivation, with the summer harvest representing the most important season of the year. While seed availability is not an issue and reservoirs are full, the reduced planting window could result in a large share of production being harvested simultaneously, potentially putting downward pressure on prices.
Partial dependence on imports
Gran Canaria produces around 62% of the potatoes it consumes, with the remainder imported mainly from the United Kingdom. According to local agricultural specialists, fewer potatoes are being stored this season in order to better manage prices, as current demand is absorbing most of the available supply.