Spanish province of Cádiz, is the largest sweet potato growing region in Europe

Sweet potato cultivation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda has experienced rapid growth over the past decade. This southern Spanish coastal municipality in the province of Cádiz is currently the largest sweet potato growing area in Europe. But due to competition from other countries, growers have reduced the acreage this year. They fear low revenues and it wouldn't be the first disappointing season. The cooperative Virgen del Rocío estimates the harvest this season at about 5.5 million kilos, half of last year, says Juan Manuel Jiménez, the organization's manager. Currently half of the production is sold fresh. The other half goes to the processing industry, where it is mainly used for preparing baby food. Due to the high demand and the increase in cultivation, the cooperatives of Sanlúcar de Barrameda were also able to sell part of the harvest to companies that make crisps, dried and cooked sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes, among other things. This diversification of the product range ...