Drought in Belgium worse than expected

Much has already been written about the fact that it is very dry in the Flemish coastal region. The drought is spreading further across the country, also affecting other growing regions. This is evident from maps of the precipitation deficit in Belgium, which Fiwap published. The province of Hainaut is very dry. Further to the east more precipitation has fallen.

Deficiency diseases visible
The lack of precipitation creates special scenes in potato crops. Particularly plots with a poor structure and very dry fields now stand out. This leads to deficiency diseases, alternaria or similar symptoms. Ozone damage, magnesium and boron deficiency are observed. Damage is especially visible on light soil. The Innovator variety in particular seems to cause many problems.

Drought is spreading
On the precipitation deficit map we can see that two regions stand out. West Flanders and the province of Hainaut (Hainaut). It is also dry in the Haspengouw (Hesbaye) region. Very little rainfall has fallen here since planting, causing shortages. In the north and southeast the moisture balance is better. Hardly any rainfall has also fallen across the border in Northern France.

Transition from old to new harvest
In the meantime, Belgian chip factories are processing the last leftovers from the 2016 harvest, while the new harvest is starting carefully. Large-scale processing of new potatoes will only start at the beginning of August. Contract prices for the very earliest varieties (Amora, Sinora and Anosta) are between €14,50 and €18,00 per 100 kilos. Similar amounts are paid for free potatoes, Fiwap reports. In addition, old Marquis, Fontane and Challenger are still processed.

Baking quality is disappointing
Yields vary enormously from 20 tonnes per hectare, with 45% or less 50mm upwards, to 45 tonnes per hectare with 70% 50mm upwards. This mainly depends on whether it is irrigated and to what extent. Across the board, 20 to 25% fewer kilos are expected than average. That is a problem for contract growers, who cannot meet their obligations. Underwater weights are good; between 380 and 420. The baking quality does not always score high points. This is dedicated to the stress that the crops have had due to extremely high temperatures in June.

Clearing the field for new cultivation
In its market report of July 18, PCA writes about an indicative free potato price of €18 to €20 per 100 kg. These are potatoes suitable for frying, ready to harvest, at least 60% 50mm+ and a submerged weight of at least 360. However, the trade in these is very limited. Some growers are in business to clear the land for a second crop.

Industry must spare the grower
In the meantime, farmers' advocate General Farmers' Syndicate is asking the potato industry to be lenient with the contracts. According to PCA Test Center, the yield of non-irrigated early potatoes does not exceed 20 tons/ha and that of irrigated 30 to 35 tons/ha. Due to the harvesting ban, very little irrigation could take place. Contracts oblige growers to supply product. A rule that caused a lot of headaches after the 2016 harvest. This summer both parties face the same fact. In a letter to Belgapom, ABS calls on growers not to make them pay 'the price' because they cannot deliver the contracted volumes, writes news site Vilt.

Double problem
Processors argue with the fact that growers have signed the conditions themselves. ABS responds that the conditions are non-negotiable. A force majeure clause, as is known in vegetable cultivation, does not apply to potatoes. This is because potato cultivation also has a free market and industrial vegetables do not. ABS spokesperson Guy Depraetere hopes that the potato sector will take back contracts and that growers will be given the opportunity to adjust the contract volume. Last year, according to Depraetere, that was sometimes possible. Customers refrain from making a decision. After the 2016 harvest, discussions were held with some affected growers about transferring the missing volumes to the coming year. This now has a double impact on these companies.

Also read: Belgium's early harvest has definitely failed. These are the consequences