Seed potato cutters take into account a busy cutting period. This is due to the scarcity of seed potatoes, the high price level and the demand for potatoes.
At the time of writing, everything is being prepared, because the companies that cut seed potatoes are expected to open within 1,5 to 2 weeks. Insiders indicate that maximum cuts will be made this season to obtain sufficient starting material. "Factories have to be there, otherwise there won't be enough," says one.
It is difficult to express this in quantities, but it is quite certain that the cutting companies are reaching their maximum capacity. "We cannot cut more than we do now and we have also outsourced work to third parties," says Dick van Tilburg of The Kubbe in Biddinghuizen. He notices that there is a national search for options for cutting seed potatoes. 'I don't think there are any second-hand cutting machines available anymore.'
Also Gert Jan van Tilburg The Tweeslag in Bant sees that demand is high. 'Varieties such as Fontane and Innovator in particular are cut more often. The problems are greatest with these varieties, it makes a difference that they are suitable for cutting. The area can be filled with the excess size.'
Having a cutting machine come is also an option. Oosterhof-Lootsma in Westhoek has five for rental. 'It's going to be a busy year. It now appears that all five mobile cutters are continuously rented. There are growers who prefer to have more control over the cutting, want to be flexible or prefer to do it themselves.'