Just like in the Netherlands, the German potato growers still have a lot of digging ahead of them. Rain has delayed the work. There is a clear split between the south and north. What does this mean for the sales market?
The potato harvest in the south of Germany was as good as completed at the end of week 41. Rain has hardly caused any problems there. The yields are good on average, which causes problems with storage. Southern German growers are often small companies that sort, pack and sell their potatoes themselves.
Oversupply causes prices to fall
Finding a buyer for the excess kilos is not easy, which has a depressing effect on the market. Selling more product locally is also not an option. The organic table potatoes in bulk, delivered to the packers, are traded for around €48 per 100 kilos. That price is expected to drop further in the coming weeks. The price of conventional potatoes is at a completely different level at €10 to €11 per 100 kilos.
Lower Saxony is experiencing problems
In the north of Germany, where the most important growing areas are located, the harvest is far from over. Wet conditions make harvesting difficult. It was early October according to farmers' union DBV only cleared 20% of the heavy soils. New rain showers ensure that the plots cannot dry sufficiently.
There are problems, especially in the east of Lower Saxony. However, even in the border region, harvesting on light soils is not without problems. Despite the wetness, efforts are being made to harvest as much as possible before wet rot can spread further. Since not every batch is free of problems, a relatively large amount of rejection occurs by buyers.
French close potato harvest
The situation is quite different in France, reports potato organization CNIPT. The potato harvest is expected to be completed this week, when the last plots are also harvested.
The quality is good and the coarseness is also noticeable. Here too, chip factories have little or no interest in the excess kilos. Only contract potatoes are currently being processed.
Spain is a buyer of French fries potatoes
According to growers' organization UNPT, growers also trade their lots with each other in order to be able to fulfill their contract. Spain is currently a buyer of French fries potatoes in their neighboring country. €9 per 100 kilos is paid for Agria and Markies. Delivered in big bags, the price rises to €12 per 100 kilos.