The area development for starch potatoes in Germany has one line: down. In 1 that will change for the first time and that is special. New sales markets are generating renewed demand for starch products.
The area of starch potatoes in Germany this year amounts to 53.519 hectares, reports trade organization Unika. This represents an increase of 1.300 hectares compared to last year. Special, since year after year the cultivation of our eastern neighbors decreased. In 2000, starch potatoes were still grown on more than 100.000 hectares.
Betting on further growth
If the starch industry has its way, much more growth can be achieved. Processing capacity is not a problem. Product quality and the price of potatoes in particular are important factors for the starch industry. The trade organization offers favorable conditions for growers who want to enter starch cultivation.
Food segment interesting
The reason for the expansion and renewed interest is the fact that end products can increasingly be sold in the food industry. About 60% of the turnover of German starch products comes from this segment. The rest goes to non-food applications.
Fewer growers
Despite the increase in area, the number of growers is decreasing every year. This year there are 3.300, a decrease of 31 companies. They delivered 2016 million tons of potatoes in 2,22. This year, 19.000 tons more product is expected.
Huge overcapacity
Cultivation is concentrated in the north of Germany. The growth is also noticeable here. In the other growing region, Bavaria, the surface area remains stable. Last year, more than 41.000 hectares of starch potatoes were grown in the north. The existing factories in this area can handle much more. In 2014, 500.000 tons more product was processed than previously contracted, which shows how much scope is still available. For the 2017 harvest, a volume of 2,5 million tons is expected in the most favorable scenario. Last year that was 2,1 million tons. Yields were then at a very low level, especially in Bavaria.