‘The drought has left its mark’: Slovenia’s potato lovers lament low yields

Record Drought Triggers Potato Shortages Across Slovenia

In Prekmurje, Slovenia, the village of Lipovci transformed into a hub for the International Festival of Roasted Potatoes, a celebration of a beloved national dish.

The air carried a sweet, juicy aroma as tens of thousands gathered: hundreds of participants and over fifty societies came together to roast their own versions of the dish each September morning.

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Local farmers and avid eaters from across the country unite nationwide roasting their version of this iconic national dish. It is a tradition driven by passion for comfort food that permeates the entire nation.

“I’m a potato guy, through and through,” Matjaz Lavric, from the capital, Ljubljana, who has attended the festival for the past 15 years, told Al Jazeera. “Life just isn’t the same without them … When I’m home, potatoes are always on the menu.”

His signature approach adds tarragon as a crucial flavor note. “I’d happily eat them straight from my garden as a main course,” he mentioned.

Yet, conventional local varieties are proving increasingly elusive.>

Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry figures for Slovenia project a steep decline, estimating between 30 and 90 percent lower yields compared to previous years, a contraction caused by severe European droughts.

In 2025, national production fell to only about one-third of total consumption, a statistic worsening due to additional pressures such as increased fertilizer costs, pesticide restrictions, and suboptimal purchasing markets.

Farmers report the full-body toll of dry soil. Janez Jambrosic, a smallholder from Velice in the south, saw half of his harvest vanish.

“The drought has left its mark,” he lamented.

To substitute for the missing weight, he fashioned a lighter version relying on vegetable oil instead of traditional pork fat.

Fellow festival organizer Matjaša Lavic echoed concerns, noting this year’s crop was smaller, adding that excavating the tubers required significantly more effort. Their struggle was visually captured in the opening photograph of the event.

‘The chips are well and truly down’

The shortage extends beyond the borders of Slovenia. Analysis released by the UK-based Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) warns the summer drought is projected to shave nearly 3.1 million tonnes off the global potato harvest among leading exporters such as Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

“For potato growers on the front lines of climate change, the chips are well and truly down,” declared food and farming analyst Tom Lancaster of ECIU.

He stressed the urgency ahead: “As we enter autumn, the repercussions of record-breaking summer heat and dryness become undeniable; a crop described as one of Europe’s thirstiest is inevitably suffering.” Industry estimates show yields dipping 20 percent in many instances.

Slovenia’s agricultural sector is defined by small, family-operated farms often passed down through generations.

Historically, the potato entered mainstream cooking via royal decree. In 1767, Empress Maria Theresa signed a mandate to cultivate and propagate the tuber, overcome initial resistance from those who grew it solely for livestock feed.

Today, the potato is woven into cultural identity; the popular saying, ‘someone who has potatoes is lucky,’ underscores its economic value.

‘The chips are well and truly down’

The ripple effects are felt globally.

According to the UK‑based non‑profit Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), research released Thursday indicates the summer drought is set to reduce harvests by approximately 3.1 million tonnes across some of the world’s leading producers.

“For those facing the dual challenge of climate change, our outlook is somber,” said analyst Tom Lancaster. “Autumn approaches, revealing the harsh toll of unprecedented summer temperatures and water scarcity on global food supply chains.” One of Europe’s most water‑intensive crops is clearly bearing the brunt, and industry data reveals a decline of twenty percent in yield for several nations.

Slovenia operates a sector built on tenacity; many small farms function on a part‑time basis, perpetuating family legacies long after the parents have passed away.

A defining moment in Slovenian history occurred in 1767, when Empress Maria Theresa issued a decree establishing rules for potato planting and cultivation, a policy that initially faced pushback before gradually taking root.

Festivals celebrate this legacy further. The roasted potato competition began as a whimsical event in the early 2000s and has since evolved into an annual tradition rotating through venues throughout the country.

Petra Molek from Carinthia demonstrated two regional adaptations, one roasted in pork fat and another in sausage fat, emphasizing that local growths proved resilient enough to impress.

“Our potatoes surfaced only two days prior from my colleague’s field,” she pointed out cheerfully.

She attributed their quality to favorable selection by type and site.

“It hinges greatly on the cultivar and where it was planted,” Marija Kovač, also from Carinthia, agreed, adding that roasted potatoes occupy a central place in everyday life at her farm.

The event, born from a lighthearted experiment in the early 2000s, invites enthusiasm. Organizers aim to lift the humble tuber from the role of side‑dish to star status.

Despite the harsh realities, the participants celebrated the spirit of the cuisine. “We all quite readily know how to prepare them,”** said Jambrosic. **”But the joy lies in the shared experience.”

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