Apart from the seed potato shortage, processing of potato contracts, tare percentages and the supply of raw materials, the potato industry has received another point of attention. At the very least, the potato stock is not large. So much depends on the connection between the old and new season. That puts extra pressure on the shoulders of early cultivation.
Especially in Germany, potato growers benefit from the demand for early potatoes. That lighted Ferdi Buffen, director of potato trading house Weuthen, already admitted. Especially for the very early delivery, in the first two weeks of July, there is a 25 percent increase in contracts. This increase is also being implemented for potato chips. An additional surcharge of 300 euros per hectare applies for cultivation under plastic.
The weather this spring has a major influence on the early potatoes. Most parts of Western and Central Europe have experienced a relatively dry period with widespread frost since the start of the new year. The structure of the soil looks better due to frost and little rain than it has in the past two years. However, the game has not yet been played. A new (temporary) frost period has already arrived. For the long term: mid-February and later, there is talk of a period with average to slightly above average temperatures. In a relatively dry weather type, this is good news for the early potatoes.
Also Robert de Vries language in his weather video of February 7 already about a dry weather type. It is thought to continue during this month. The German premier region par excellence; Rhineland-Palatinate, has approximately 4.000 hectares of early potatoes, 1.200 hectares of which are grown under plastic. As soon as conditions permit, planting will start there from the end of February. All pre-sprouting trays in Germany are now full, Ferdi Buffen said earlier.
Southern Spain, where many early potatoes come from, is facing an extremely precarious situation. It is again a problem that the potato industry is not waiting for. According to insiders, about half of the early acreage in Murcia and Valencia has yet to be planted. Planting normally starts in December. Due to all the rain and even snow and frost, the ground is in less than ideal condition. In addition to the late harvest time, this also results in less yield.
The supply of Spanish potatoes probably does not have much effect on the French fries industry. However, it is an extra seasoning on the potato market and one that the factories cannot use with it. Even when spring arrives early and a large area can already be planted in March, the question is whether a good connection can be made between the old and new season. It can get exciting in June and July.