Potato acreage is not going to shrink

From the Boerenbusiness Poll shows that the potato acreage for the coming season will remain the same for most of the respondents. This while they expect to grow below cost price. The poll was set up in response to the start of the new contracting season.

More than 40% of the voters indicate that they keep the potato area the same. The percentage that will cultivate on a larger area is 22%. About 1/3 indicate that the acreage will be reduced next year.

This is remarkable, because more than 50% expect to grow below cost price next season. A small minority (17%) expects to sell above cost. The other group expects to grow at cost price.

Loyalty to customers
Despite the reduced contract prices, 60% remain loyal to the same customer. There is also a considerable proportion (25%) who are still unsure where they will sell their potatoes. Only 15% already indicate that they will look for another buyer for next season.

The majority (45%) indicate that they want to sell their potatoes through free sales next year. About 32% indicate that they sell the potatoes through a fixed price contract. Few sell their potatoes through a pool (15%) or through a futures market (8%).

View the results of the poll here.

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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