The 2016 seed potato season started in a somewhat negative atmosphere, but with decent quality and good demand, Q-Potato looks back on it with a good feeling. Wouter Mutsaers, who buys and sells seed potatoes, explains what the company in Lemmer encountered in its sales markets.
Last season there was a lot of buzz about the free export variety Spunta. This started early in the export season with Algeria's new import regulations. This led to nervousness in the market and prices came under pressure. For Q-Potato Holland BV, which mainly runs on export varieties, Spunta is an important asset. 'If Spunta goes down, it will also take monopoly varieties with it in its price fall. We therefore entered the 2016/17 season with shaking knees," Mutsaers describes the circumstances in the autumn.
Go through stock quickly
Algeria's changes kept the entire sector busy and yet prices remained unchanged. 'Partly supported by a good consumer market. Ultimately, Spunta was preferred by many countries. When Algeria came up with extra quota in the second week of January, Spunta's stock was also used up quickly.'
For Q-Potato this resulted in a pool price of 28 euros in the E 55/30,15 class. The company set a price of 28 euros for Hermes class E 55/35,50. This excludes bagging fees and VAT. 'Despite a hectic season, we have been able to supply our regular customers well and we have had relatively few complaints. Almost everything has been sold as seed potatoes. In short: a well-run season.'
Demanding Southern European market
In addition to North Africa, Southern Europe is also an important sales area for Q-Potato. 'Here too there is a demanding market due to good consumer prices. That was the time to sell.' Q-Potato also does business in the Middle East. 'Our sales to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan and Lebanon have remained the same as last year.'
Mutsaers notes that despite the war in Syria, seed potato sales in that region are still higher than the year before. 'Even though it is difficult in terms of logistics and payment transactions.' Furthermore, exports to North Africa and Europe are also increasing every year.
The quality of the export varieties was good last season. Growers didn't have much work to do in delivering potters.' Q-Potato does not intend to make any changes to the package of free varieties. He also sees no reason for adjustments in the design and strategy of the seed potato pool. However, demand abroad for higher seed potato classes is increasing.
Rough sizes and a lot of carving
The national quality status of the monopoly seed potatoes of industrial varieties was a different story. Agria, Fontane and Innovator suffered from growth cracks, scab and low yield. Q-Potato, which takes care of the delivery of Monopoly seed potatoes for Flevopool growers, had to resort to tricks to fill the consumption area.
'The industry wants to expand, but there was less seed potato. We also noticed the shortage and had to solve it by going to larger sizes and cutting a lot. We achieved a good outcome in close consultation with the trading companies of those varieties. At the moment we see that the turnout, despite the cuts, is much better. That was different last year.' In conclusion, the initial negative feeling did not materialize.