The Central Statistical Office for Poland (GUS) has published new figures for potato area and yield. In both cases, a correction is made upwards. What does this mean?
The statistical office estimates the total Polish potato harvest at 9,5 million tons for the 2017 harvest. It immediately states that the quality is particularly poor. Losses are high both during harvest and during storage.
Larger area
The statistics office estimates the total area to be 6% larger than last year. This increases the area to 330.000 hectares. That is the largest area since 2013. At its lowest point, in 2014, the area was 277.000 hectares. This turned out to be the turning point for the potato sector.
The average yield is estimated at 28,9 tonnes per hectare, an increase of 400 kilos above the 2016 average yield; or 1,5%. This hectare yield was already at a high level (28,5 tons per hectare). In 2013, for example, this was 21 tons per hectare. There are large fluctuations in the yield level, which is mainly due to weather influences.
Harvest incomplete
The growing season in Poland was erratic. Planting took place late due to a lot of rain and snowfall during the spring. At very low temperatures, the crops develop poorly at first. Higher temperatures and more than enough precipitation ensured that the crops ultimately developed well. Only in northern Poland has excessive rainfall caused problems. This situation also continued in the autumn. Therefore, not all crops have been cleared in the north and northwest. At the beginning of December, 3% to 4% was still in the ground. Rot is a big problem.
The winter in Poland is so far mild. Heavy frost has not yet manifested itself. Previously, the agricultural economics institute IERiGZ estimated the harvest at 9,8 million tons. There is a good chance that 300.000 tons were lost due to wetness. However, it is a drop in the ocean.
Shelf life
Insiders estimate the percentage of unharvested to be higher: 5% to 10%. Many plots have suffered from wet spots or, in extreme cases, could not be harvested at all. It is said that batches are still lost in storage every day. The processing industry is therefore exploring options to safeguard their raw material flow. There is a need for this, especially in the second quarter of 2018.
In the short term, the demand for French fries potatoes from Poland is very low. First all bad parts must be cleaned up and they are still appearing new. Rest in custody is required.
Table potato market
Good quality table potatoes are difficult to find and easy to import from Western Europe. Germany, among others, benefits from this and at the end of 2017 France also exported a lot of volume.
The market price for good quality table potatoes at wholesalers is between €8 and €9,60 per 100 kilos. The average potato price does not exceed €6,40 to €7,20 per 100 kilos. Exports to Romania and Moldova take place on a small scale. However, this volume is not enough to take the market to the next level.