The variation in French trial harvesting figures for ware potatoes is enormous. There is no less than 53 tons per hectare between the worst and best results. The weather is the cause. Northern France remains dry, while the east is much better off in terms of precipitation.
The first test harvest figures from potato growers' organization CNIPT show an enormous variation in yield figures. The worst plot does not exceed 11 tons per hectare. In contrast, there is a result of 64 tons per hectare on the best plot. That makes a huge difference of 53 tons per hectare.
Last year, the consumption potato harvest from storage potatoes amounted to an average of 40 tons per hectare. Despite low figures, an average is taken into account that is several hundred thousand euros higher than in 2016.
Ideal potato weather
The north and northeast of France show the lowest figures, due to season-long drought. Most chip potatoes are grown on plots that cannot be irrigated. Everything must be done in the last weeks of the growing season.
More rain has fallen further south and in the east of the country. Yields there are improving significantly. Good potato weather is forecast for the next 10 days. Temperatures up to 25 degrees, with occasional showers. However, phytophthora is lurking.