The potato sector in Israel has been hit by the impact of war as well as improvements in post-harvest treatments in Europe, leading to a drop in exports
Potato production in Israel hit a volume of around 350,000 tonnes in 2025, of which roughly 80 per cent comes from the southern Western Negev/Gaza Envelope region.
The southern area was a serious casualty of the 7 October 2023 attack, including the destruction of packhouses, storage facilities and irrigation systems, not to mention the impact on agricultural workers from Thailand.
Nevertheless, because of a high level of mechanisation, the cultivation of the potato crop made a relatively quick recovery to its present level.
The remaining 20 per cent of production comes from the Sharon coastal area, north of Tel Aviv, where potato production is already on the decline. Of the total 350,000 tonnes produced, 30,000-50,000 tonnes is exported, with around 10,000 tonnes used for seeds.
In general, the varieties grown for export are dictated by the needs of overseas customers. Potatoes are exported to Spain (the Soprano variety), the UK (Maris Piper) and Germany (varieties with a special taste).
However, export quantities from Israel to Europe are declining. This is partly due to a significant improvement in European cooling techniques and the increased use of sprout inhibitors such as Biox-M and DMN.
According to Prof. Avi Nachmias, head of the Research Centre for Potato Cultivation in Hot Climates, there are two developments that will affect and influence potato cultivation, not only in Israel: the advance of True Seeds and F1 hybrids being developed by Solynta, based in the Netherlands, with trial plantings also being carried out in Israel; and the development of 10kg packs aimed at home deliveries of larger quantities in custom-made cartons that keep out the light.
