Poland expects a good potato harvest

Last year, Poland harvested a potato harvest of more than 9 million tons within, from 307.000 hectares. A decrease of 2% compared to 2015. That does not mean much by Polish standards. Due to the professionalization of cultivation, large companies remain. They have the cultivation under control. This way, more can be produced with a shrinking surface area.

Increase in area
Official figures are not yet available at the end of July, but insiders estimate that the area of ​​chip potatoes will increase by about 5% this year. That is comparable growth to the area in the EU-5. It concerns cultivation by professional farmers. Not the companies with 1 hectare. While the price in the Netherlands was 20 cents or more, the level in Poland was between 10 and 15 cents. Chip factories in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium were able to supply Polish potatoes at critical times during the past season.

Factories are expanding
French fries factories in Poland have expanded their production capacity for the 2017-2018 season. Western McCain, Farm Frites and Frito Lay as well as our own Polish potato processors have expanded more acreage or are requesting more potatoes. The demand for table potatoes is stable. The area unchanged.

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Cold spring well recovered
The country had an extremely cold spring, which meant that the potatoes went into the ground late. Even on May 4, snow was still falling. In retrospect, the late-planted plots are also the best. This is partly dependent on breed. The number of tubers is particularly disappointing where early planting takes place. Ultimately, the cultivation recovered well, with sufficient moisture. This has been especially the case in the north of the country. Less precipitation fell in the southwest. The east, towards the Ukrainian border, is drier than western Poland. Yield losses due to drought are expected there. This is not the case elsewhere.

Lots of precipitation
Just like in Germany, the Polish plots have been treated to a lot of rainfall in the past week. Rain is also expected in the coming days. These are local and heavy showers, which can suddenly deliver tens of millimeters. The temperature is currently above 30 degrees. Even the showers barely cool it down. Ideal phytophthora weather. The potato blight is therefore observed everywhere in the country. Bacterial disease is also feared. Due to the heavy rain, the lenticels of the tubers are open.

Do not spray to death
It is currently very wet, especially in Northern Poland. Plots of seed potatoes cannot be killed because the spray cannot make its way through the plot, an insider reports. Failure to start the haulm killing in time will result in more excess. Seed potato suppliers are also noticing more interest in certified seed potatoes. The use of 'farm saved seed', where part of the harvest is held back to be replanted next year, is becoming less and less common. This reduces the risk of diseases and increases yields.

Where to go with extra kilos?
Considering the Polish situation, the puzzle fit perfectly last season. The 2,8 million extra tons of Polish potatoes were used to partly fill the gap left by Western European potatoes. The Netherlands and Germany in particular have been well served. It is a controversial but realistic fact. No such shortage is currently expected this season. Growers in Poland also realize this. On the other hand, a larger acreage and an even better harvest are just around the corner.

Moreover, exporting to other EU countries is still a tricky issue. This is a little easier, but there are a lot of checks involved. The country must therefore rely on its eastern neighbors to be able to produce the harvest. However, it is not yet in the shed. The game is not over yet, as the growers also realize.