The North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) expect in the five covered countries (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany) a lower production of potatoes (seed and potatoes for starch production not included) compared to last season.
The production for 2016 is estimated at 24.9 million tons, while in 2015 25.9 million ton was harvested.
The losses due to flooding are included in these numbers.
Despite an expansion of the acreage by 4.8 per cent compared to last season, yield is expected to be 1.6 per cent lower. Compared to the five-year averages, the acreage is up 3.4 per cent and production is down 2.2 per cent.
Large differences
In Germany, an average harvest is expected; but in the Netherlands, France and Great Britain the production is estimated to be lower.
In Belgium a very low production is expected, despite an expansion of the acreage by 12 per cent: production in Belgium is estimated to be 5.8 per cent below the production of last season.
Not only are there major regional differences, but there are major differences between potato varieties as well, something that is not typically seen.
The potato variety Fontane – the variety that saw the largest increase in acreage in the NEPG – will suffer from high waste levels due to growth cracks and green tubers.
In general, losses above average are expected.
In addition, dry matter content of the tubers is high, making the tubers susceptible to bruising during harvest and handling.
Higher cost of production, and higher losses.
Harvest is later than normal in all countries, increasing the risks of problematic harvest conditions.
The NEPG emphasizes that cost of production for potato growers increased this year as a result of extra costs for crop protection as well as the low yields per hectare.
The difference between harvested amounts and the useful fraction will also be higher because of growth cracks, green tubers and other quality issues.
Potato Prices
Potato prices on the open market are still stable after last season and may actually rise as a result of the low production this season.
Contract farmers may run into some problems due to low yield and discounts due to quality. On the other hand, this may lead to some additional demand on the open market.
Source: Potato Pro and NEPG
