It’s estimated European potato growers will harvest around 23 million tonnes of earlies and main crop potatoes this year, the North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) said in a Sept. 11 news release. This is 1.3 million more than 2022 but equal to 2021 production.
“The last four months were not a long and smooth river for potato production. In spite of the difficult weather conditions, first yield estimates suggest a return to multi-year averages,” the release said.
The release noted late blight will have a major impact on the harvest with some subregions having faced cases during the growing season.
On average, crops were planted three weeks later than average at around May 15 to 20. August weather caused a sharp increase in yields, however the report noted this meant high late blight levels were maintained.
“Mid late varieties as Fontane and Challenger, and late varieties like Markies, will not have all their growing days, unless crops are left to grow up to mid-October. Lower tuber counts and physiological disorders (hollow heart, misshaped, rot) and above all tuber blight will impact net production! In addition, mitigated under water weights will lessen processing yields.”
There has been an increase in demand from the processing sector. The release noted that compared to 2021, processing capacity has risen by two million tons.
“Following lower productions in Poland and southern Europe (due to smaller planted area and bad weather conditions) export season has already started and competition between buyers from the industry and export will again be on the agenda.”
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