In Europe, a cautious start is being made with the harvest of early potatoes. This is the case, for example, in Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. In Western Europe in particular, the frost has clearly wreaked havoc, causing the harvest to be delayed.
The first early potatoes have been harvested in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg since week 19. The price level of non-skin firm potatoes is 1.200 euros per tonne. In Northern Germany, prices for a bag of potatoes are slightly higher. The potato harvest in the Palatinate is expected to start this week. The first early crops covered in plastic have also been harvested in the Rhineland and Lower Saxony.
Night frost again
Despite the fact that harvesting is underway, the frost has wreaked havoc. Last week the mercury dropped to -4 degrees, including on the Lüneburg Heath. That slows down crop development considerably. The dry winter is putting pressure on the availability of groundwater in West Germany. In the south there is sufficient water available, but temperatures are still too low.
Spanish harvest has started
The weather also had an influence on yields in Spain. Around the city of Seville, the harvest was significantly delayed due to heavy rain. The bad weather last winter clearly also had an effect on the yield. On the other hand, more hectares of potatoes have been planted in the province of Andalusia.
First increase in 10 years
According to José Peláez, chairman of Europatat's early potato committee, Spanish growers have realized that there is a raw material shortage on the European potato market. That is why they have planted more acreage for the first time in 10 years. 'Early potatoes from Israel, Egypt and Malta are sold at a high price level in Europe. That sets a price floor for Spanish potatoes.' At the beginning of May, growers were paid 517 euros per tonne at the farm.