Total yield in Västerbotten County and Norrbotten County was 43 percent and 33 percent higher than last year. In Örebro County and Gotland County, total yield was 19 percent and 18 percent higher than last year. Total yield in Västra Götaland County was 14 percent higher than last year, mainly due to increased cultivation area. Total yields in other counties are at the same level as last year's results.

Four counties dominate the cultivation of table potatoes: Skåne, Halland, Västra Götaland and Östergötland counties. Together, they accounts for 76 percent of Sweden's total table potato harvest.

Table potato area increased by about 600 hectares

The main reason for the increased total yield is an increased table potato area. The preliminary area amounted to 17 300 hectares this year. This is an increase of about 600 hectares or nearly 4 percent compared with last year’s area, which was at its lowest level. Measured in hectares, the increase was largest in Skåne County and Västra Götaland County. However, in Östergötland County the area decreased by 120 hectares compared with the previous year.

Large yield for starch potatoes

Potatoes for starch are mainly cultivated in Skåne, Blekinge and Kalmar counties. Starch potatoes are used as a primary product in technology-based industry and in food. The yield per hectare is estimated at 45 000 kilos per hectare, which is 2 100 kilos, or nearly 5 percent more than last year’s high yields per hectare and nearly 7 percent higher than the five-year average. The total harvest is estimated at 310 000 tonnes, which is nearly 12 percent higher than last year.

A more detailed report of this survey is published in the Statistical Report JO17 SM 1601 and on the Swedish Board of Agriculture website at www.jordbruksverket.se under Statistics.

Final results for 2016 will be reported in the spring of 2017. These yield statistics are based on the data from all forms of cultivation that occur in the country. Yield statistics on organic and conventional cultivation will be reported in June 2017.