Belgapom last published a price quotation for this season on Friday 3 November. Since then, it has remained silent due to a lack of free transactions. PCA/Fiwap, meanwhile, is quoted a price. However, the number of transactions is increasing cautiously. Romain Cools, general secretary of Belgapom, hopes that this can lead to a new listing in the short term.
PCA/Fiwap quotes a price of €16 per 2 kilos for Bintje and €100 to €2 for Fontane and Challenger on Tuesday, January 3. That is almost the same as the previous week. The price quotation continues at a stable and low level, while Belgapom has not announced any new prices since November 3. A unique situation in the potato market history.
Demand from peeling companiesA market between grower and buyer has not been observed in Belgium for French fries potatoes in recent months. This concerns Bintje, Challenger and Fontane. “This was the case in both the factories and the trade,” says Cools. PCA/Fiwap writes in its message that the market environment remains calm, but that there is clearly interest from peeling companies that are looking for potatoes of very good quality. Several processors buy small volumes on the open market. In addition, there is a reasonable demand for export-suitable potatoes.
Quality wanted
A market between grower and buyer has not been observed in Belgium for French fries potatoes in recent months. This concerns Bintje, Challenger and Fontane. "This was the case in both the factories and the trade," Cools says. PCA/Fiwap writes in its message that the market environment remains calm, but that there is clearly interest from peeling companies that are looking for potatoes of very good quality. Several processors buy small volumes on the open market. In addition, there is a reasonable demand for export-suitable potatoes.
Cools finds it difficult to estimate how the season will proceed. "There are signals that, little by little, more transactions are being concluded. I can imagine that this will lead to a listing again in the short term. Belgapom and the listing committee would like nothing more. Every Friday morning, despite not being listed, meetings have been held. A lack of market forces illustrates how exceptional the current season is."
Cash Settlement
Cools does not dare to say whether not listing Belgapom will have consequences for the formation of the Cash Settlement. According to him, this is a matter for the potato futures market itself. Currently only input from PCA/Fiwap is used.