Not all Polish potatoes are harvested

There are still potatoes in the ground in all Polish growing areas. The problems are greatest in the center and north. There are also plots to be completed in the slightly drier southwest and east; get started oktober about 60% was still in the ground. Actually the entire main harvest. A lot of work has been done in 1 month. Still, it had to start november an estimated 10% still need to be cleared. There have not been many opportunities to get the last plots harvested.

More than 300.000 tons still need to be harvested
Statistics agency IERiGÅ» estimates that 3% to 4% of the area still needs to be harvested. This corresponds with the findings of insiders Boerenbusiness spoke. The total volume of potatoes is estimated at 9,8 million tons, 1 million tons more than in 2016. With these figures, the volume still to be harvested amounts to 294.000 to 392.000 tons. They are mainly located in the northwest and center of the country.

Frost coming
In addition to the current situation of impassable plots and poor quality, a new problem is emerging: frost. Temperatures will drop in the second half of this week. In central and eastern Poland, the temperature at night reaches -3 to -4 degrees Celsius. During the day it fluctuates around freezing point. In the north and southwest, temperatures move between 0 and 1 degree.

The first serious snowfall is expected from Wednesday evening. Crops are not immediately lost, but in any case they cannot be harvested. The 14-day forecast shows light to moderate frost.

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The second half of this week will see the first serious frost in Poland.Huge range
Anyone who has had their potatoes indoors is not always free from problems. As in the Netherlands, reports are made of consignments that are delivered early. Wet harvesting conditions are clearly reflected in storage. It is estimated that approximately 10% is of such poor quality that it must be delivered early. The offer is large. Processors are inundated with excess kilos that fall outside the contract. Underwater weights are low due to the rain.

Dumping from Western Europe
The situation is not much better on the Polish table potato market. Quality is also the bottleneck there. Supermarkets import washed and packaged potatoes from Germany and France at rock bottom prices. France in particular is said to be dumping large volumes. The average price for bagged Polish potatoes is currently €5 to €7 per 100 kilos, with peaks of up to €10. French potatoes pay €4 to €5.

The retail market is looking at next year with suspicion. There is currently sufficient supply of laundry-suitable potatoes. The lower quality questions the storability. As a result, the volume is thought to decrease from February onwards. In addition, storage facilities are often not equipped for long-term storage and cannot withstand severe frost. Polish growers have mainly invested in cultivation and not in storage options.

More problems
The current problem will continue into the coming season. Where potatoes are or were, winter wheat cannot be sown. The plots are saturated. The sugar beet harvest is in full swing. It runs 24 hours a day. Beet harvesters can do their job, but they also have their limits. With frost on the hand, the handbrake will be on this week. Then you must first wait until the frost has pulled out of the beets.

Area is slowing down
Insiders think that growers are anticipating the current disastrous situation. People struggle to get the harvest done, but without any 'reward' in return. This year, according to government figures, the area is 317.000 hectares. That is an increase of 1,8%, which can easily be reversed in 2018. For next year, 300.000 hectares of potatoes are expected.  

The area does not say everything about the harvest. In 2010 it was still 400.000 hectares. However, the volume only increased. Better varieties ensure that yields of 50 to 60 tons of chip potatoes from 1 hectare are no longer an exception in Poland.The area does not always say something about the total potato harvest in Poland.

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