The most up-to-date trial harvesting results (beginning of week 32) from the PCA show that the main harvest on the parcels in East and West Flanders, Limburg and Flemish Brabant still needs to grow considerably.
For the most important variety, Fontane, a yield of 117 gross tons per hectare is sampled after 34 days. In the 4 previous seasons this was an average of 44 tons per hectare.
Drought takes its toll
The dry start to the growing season has certainly taken its toll and makes a top harvest, such as the 2014 one (with an average of 60 tons per hectare), unattainable. If the season proceeds normally from now on, the multi-year average of 54 tons per hectare would be the highest achievable.
It can also be deduced from PCA's message that Fontane's quality looks good. The loss of rot and greenery, among other things, is limited.
Bintje shows comparable figures
The Bintje variety shows a comparable hectare yield after 119 growing days. This is sampled at 33 gross tons per hectare. It is striking that the percentage of 50 millimeters at 41% is nice for this time of the season.
Bintje's multi-year average from 2007-2016 is 44 tons per hectare. In 2014, however, this was more than 46 tons. Bintje's plots in the above cultivation areas also have to work hard to come close to that multi-year average.