Target adjustment of growth cracks in norms not achieved

The fuss about the expansion of the growth crack standard is not over yet. With a view to the growers' meetings that start next week, the NAK will now provide an explanation of the decision. However, the aim of the standard adjustment to make extra seed potatoes available has not been achieved.

In order to conduct the discussion about the growth crack decision in the growers' meetings on substantive grounds, apart from the emotions that were there in December, the inspection body responds with a write on the website. This explains, among other things, that the standard adjustment concerns class B; 'an insignificant class in size'.

It also explains why Vavi and Agrico's request came so late. 'The proposers have tried to get more support for the proposal at an earlier stage, but they have not succeeded. As a result, the 'broad' sector discussion was held much later than desired, only from 23 November.'

The need for adaptation is attributed to the large shortage of seed potatoes of varieties for the processing industry. 'The parties involved estimate the amount of seed that could become extra available as a result of the extension of the standard in the order of 20.000 tons. That concerns French fries varieties.'
According to sources who Boerenbusiness however, that number is far too high. Earlier, around 5.000 tons of extra seed potatoes would have become available. The current market situation also confirms this.

Prices are flying up. For example, the price of Bintje has risen to above 100 euros per 100 kg for the size 28/35 and Agrias have also exploded in price, according to a trader.

The fact that Bintje's prices fell immediately after the decision caused many angry reactions, the NAK admits. 'After that, the prices more than made up for the loss. The market is therefore saying that the shortage of seed potatoes will not disappear even with the adjustment of the standards', the letter states. You could conclude from this that the standard adjustment has not achieved its goal.

The division in the sector was great, but in the end the sector interest and the fear of an illegal circuit were decisive, the NAK adds in the letter. But even that is not completely sealed off, according to stories in the field.

In addition, growers and traders have fallen short. 'Before the decision, parties will have been prepared according to the 'old' standard. This meant that the growers in question could not benefit from the extension of the standard, insofar as those parties would qualify for sales as B or Rating II. That is unfortunately a fact. It was estimated in advance that this was the case on a limited scale,' says the NAK.

Although the NAK for such situations in the future want a structural solution, it seems unwise to them to close the doors hermetically. 'A calamity could ever arise again that necessitates an ad-hoc solution.'

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