organic sweet potatoes
On more than 120 hectares on Reichenau Island, the Bodanrück peninsula and in the Hegau region, around 3,000 tons of organic sweet potatoes are grown and harvested each year. The Reichenau-Gemüse eG cooperative thus produces over 60 percent of Germany’s total organic sweet potato volume—an impressive achievement that even exceeds the quantity imported from Portugal in 2022.
Although sweet potatoes resemble regular potatoes, they differ greatly in nutrients and taste. They are rich in beta-carotene (converted to vitamin A in the body), vitamin C, fiber, and B vitamins. With their lower glycemic index, they raise blood sugar levels more slowly than regular potatoes.
For more than eight years, a young organic grower from the Reichenau-Gemüse cooperative has pioneered the challenging cultivation of this crop in Germany. Originally from tropical Central and South America, sweet potatoes require specific growing conditions that make them demanding to produce here. Major global producers include China, Nigeria, Tanzania, Indonesia, and Uganda. Since the 2023 harvest, both quality and yield in our region have met expectations. Significant investments—supported by the cooperative and EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding—were made in storage and harvesting technology. Reichenau-Gemüse eG also supports its member with marketing and distribution.
Harvest begins in October, and thanks to careful, quality-preserving storage, these sweet potatoes are now available year-round. They are offered loose or in eco-friendly 650-gram packs designed to market even smaller, more delicate tubers effectively. From this year onward, regional organic sweet potatoes from Reichenau are available in many food markets—strengthening local value creation while meeting growing consumer demand for high-quality, sustainable produce.
