German farmers have great difficulty harvesting their potatoes because of the heavy rainfall. Growers are unable to enter the country, especially in northern Germany. What consequences does that have?
The plots in the north and west of the country, which can be harvested, once again confirm the high yields. Together with the expansion of the acreage (+2,4%) to 248.400 hectares, the farmers' union estimates the total harvest at 11,3 million tons. That is almost 5% more than last year. The highest yields are achieved in Lower Saxony: an average of 48,5 tons per hectare. The average is 45,4 tons, 2.2% more than in 2016.
Harvesters stand still
If all the potatoes come out well, the yields in 2017 will be very high. However, this will not work everywhere. Harvesting conditions are only optimal in the Rhineland. About 70% would have been harvested there already.
In the north of Germany the harvesters are standing still. On heavy soils, less than 20% is inside. Only on light soils the harvest continues steadily, with interruptions.
Quality concerns grow
Due to the rain, concerns about the quality also grow and hollowness also occurs. The growers fear that they will eventually not be able to sell all the potatoes and are therefore not doing business yet. They must first comply with previous contractual obligations.
The farmers' union urges the food trade and processing industry to buy and sell German products by preference.