Organic arable farmers can measure themselves well against their usual colleagues this season. An almost perfect growing season, especially in Flevoland, has ensured that the yields are completely satisfactory. In other areas the picture changes. The question now is: can the market handle this extra volume?
The organic arable farmers, those Boerenbusiness spoke unanimously: the growing season went well, resulting in yields being on average at a high level. This is especially the case in Flevoland. Growers can measure themselves against the results of conventional crops. Doesn't an abundant harvest immediately mean significant price pressure, as is noticeable with conventional potatoes, onions and carrots? Growers do not fear this, but the trade sees it differently.
Fewer phytophthora problems
There is a difference in yield between standard potato varieties and those with phytophthora resistance. Popular varieties in the organic segment, such as the Ditta and Agria, are also struggling with the dreaded potato blight this season. However, the degree of contamination is not nearly as great as during the dreaded 2016 season, when growers sometimes went home with 15 to 20 tons. This year the yields of the resistant varieties are around 50 to 55 tons per hectare. The level of other breeds is lower and fluctuates more.
Tuberous phytophthora is mainly observed in Flevoland. During some heavy rain showers, spores were washed into the ground. The vast majority of crops were burned this year not to combat phytophthora, but because the tubers were too large. A new phenomenon for organic growers, where potato blight normally dictates.
Zeeland less fortunate
What is particularly striking to Christoffel den Herder, organic agriculture advisor at Delphy, is that the early varieties have performed well. "In the southwest, the early Triplo variety is popular. There we see good yields. The picture varies between, for example, West Brabant, where irrigation is possible, and Zeeland, where irrigation is almost impossible. The potato crops have improved better due to the In my opinion, a dry spring would be better than the sowing and onion onions."
Phytophthora infestation
While growers on Flevoland clay are harvesting top yields of 50-55 tons per hectare this year, that level in Zeeland is around 35 to 40 tons, Den Herder thinks. "Due to heavy rain showers, we see in particular that the Ditta variety has to deal with tuberous phytopthora. This also occurs in Agria, but in lesser sizes. What struck me most is the aggressiveness of the fungus. A week after the first attack, the entire plot infected. It seems as if we are dealing with a new strain. Apart from some problems with phytophthora, the quality is good, although this partly depends on how the drying and storage is done."
Role of Germany
Doesn't a (significantly) higher yield cause a dip in prices? Growers think that things are not going so well, but the trade is different. However, the Dutch sales market is largely driven by Germany. However, our eastern neighbors apply the rule: own product first. "German buyers are not active on the market at the moment," says Peter Dijk. He is a commercial manager at Agrico. The potato trading house is an important player in the organic potato world. "The market is not at the price level of last year. Back then we harvested 15 to 20 tons per hectare. This year it is 50% more. The sales market is not growing proportionately. I find it difficult to say anything about the yield. We have Only half of our trial harvest figures are complete. It is the later crops that are roasted later that can produce a good yield. What we know now are mainly the early varieties."
Dijk sees more opportunities for exports to Germany, especially in the second half of the sales season. "Most organic potatoes currently remain in the Netherlands," he says. "A slightly lower price level also offers opportunities. The French fries and chips industry is an interesting opportunity. Hopefully, by promoting the products more, sales can be generated."
Area stable
The organic potato area in the Netherlands amounted to 2016 hectares in 1.500, Statistics Netherlands calculated. The surface area has been stable since 2013. No figures are yet known for 2017. The number of organic arable farms fluctuates slightly. In 2016, this involved 539 arable farms, while 3 years earlier there were 573 farms. Less than half grow potatoes: 200 of the more than 500 in 2016. That number is also very stable. Bionext has not yet announced how many companies have switched in the 2016-2017 season. Last season there were 258, mainly dairy farmers.
More resistant varieties
Peter Dijk expects that the area in 2017 will differ little from previous figures. "With the introduction of more phytophthora-resistant varieties, crop security increases and therefore also interest among growers. The yields are higher, so we can theoretically deal with a smaller area. If we want to expand the area, the market must be able to accommodate this extra volume. Our area planning is based on sales, not on cultivation options."
The white-skinned, free-boiling Carolus and red-skinned Alouette are the resistant varieties that Agrico now carries. "There is a lot in the pipeline, but it will certainly take 2 to 3 years before those varieties can be used commercially. About 30% of the Agrico area now includes resistant varieties. We have not yet made a plan for 2018, but I think this percentage can be grow to 40%. This takes into account the areas per company over previous years. The resistant varieties are distributed proportionally."