Rot frustrates early export of seed potatoes

According to various estimates, between 30% and 45% of the seed potatoes were harvested until the rains set in. Much less than is normally the case and there is usually 65% ​​to 70% already in the shed during this period.

In addition, the risk of rot is very likely in many plots. "The problems with the water are major," says HZPC director Gerard Backx. "Everyone is waiting to see whether there has been major damage to fields. Hopefully the potatoes have not been under water for too long. But you will only see the real damage after some time."

Needs nerves of steel
It is certain that there is damage, but how extensive and how much no one can estimate at this time. Moreover, potatoes that seem good in the field can later rot when oxygen is added. It is a fact that rot will frustrate early exports, says Wouter Mutsaers of Q-potato. "Growers with nerves of steel can wait until the rotten tubers have rotted away, but that makes time even tighter and there is a risk of frost. Or they can still start harvesting if the land allows it and sort out the rot problem in storage. With the chance that batches will rot further in storage."

Availability tight
He is certain that the availability of seed potatoes will be tight in the coming months, because time moves on. Some export destinations can wait, but others cannot. Mutsaers fears consequences for early exports. "If harvesting can take place at the end of this week, which is still questionable for many plots, some of it will be ready at the end of next week. Add 6 to 7 weeks for drying, and you won't get around to sorting until mid-November. and it will take another 2 to 3 weeks until the seed potatoes reach their destination. There are destinations that cannot wait until December to receive seed potatoes."

Too late
It can therefore be much too late for early destinations. Mutsears: "The United Arab Emirates, Sudan, part of Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Spain, Lebanon and Jamaica have to be loaded at the beginning of October to reach their destination at the end of October. I am concerned about the fact that we have a will miss part of the sales."

Evasive options and scabies
Another concern of his is that customers will move to other countries, such as France, Belgium or Germany. "France is reasonably up to date with grubbing; perhaps they will fill some of the early destinations. This year they will be forced to load from France, because the Netherlands cannot deliver on time, but if the customer is satisfied, they may choose the year Then again for French seed potatoes. Not planting potatoes at all can also be an option."

In addition to the delay and water damage, there is a third issue that will affect exports: scab. "Growers will have more difficulty preparing batches for the highest scab scale. This will lead to less supply for overseas destinations."

Record cuts
The NAK does not expect last week's rainfall to delay the progress of the project follow-up. The reduction percentage is equal to last week and now stands at 19,5%. This concerns only 18,7% of the area to be examined.

Update September 20:
Agrico is also experiencing inconvenience from the weather conditions, says director Jan van Hoogen. "We are 3 weeks behind with the harvesting work. At first it could not be harvested because the mother tubers had not rotted away sufficiently. Then the rain came. This is a problem for the early export destinations, but the situation cannot be called unique. It is more common occurred."

Waiting for rotten tubers
Van Hoogen mentions a country like Pakistan, for which the export machine normally has to be started now. "If deliveries cannot be made, alternatives will be sought. Fortunately, the weather forecast is good. Hopefully, harvesting can resume at the end of the week, but that will still require some wind. As a result, it will not dry very quickly. The rainfall has been very localized and extreme in some areas. If rot is present, we still have to wait."

Grower is not to blame
Shouldn't growers have waited so long for the mother tubers to disappear? According to Van Hoogen, that is not the case. "Who would have expected so much rain to fall? Due to the dry early summer, the mother tubers have remained intact. The use of tuber treatment products also contributes to this. They have been sucked dry, but are not letting go. In Flevoland and Northern Netherlands, the Yields and quality are on average good. In North Holland and Friesland we encounter more scab than normal. In the southwest of the country the yield is lower due to the dry season, until mid-July."

Photo: @oomenbv