Potato quality a concern in Poland

Polish potato growers are having a difficult time season behind. After a late spring and an erratic growing season, a... extreme wet autumn. This caused major problems, especially in Northern Poland; not all plots have been cleared. The harvest was also difficult elsewhere in the country, which meant that the potatoes were stored far from ideally.

Potato quality
The table potato market is struggling with problems such as bruising. Harvesting took place late in the season at low temperatures. In addition to rot, frying quality also plays a role in French fry potatoes. A low underwater weight (OWG) and discoloration do not make it easy for processors.

As in Western Europe, many bad consignments have now been delivered early. However, new problem cases continue to arise, which has a depressing effect. This gives rise to the idea that the availability of good quality potatoes may become a problem in the last weeks of the storage season. The recent frost period, with temperatures down to -15 degrees Celsius, had no grip on the potato market.

For the time being, there is little evidence of this on the physical market. Prices are low and the disappointing harvest is compensated by a larger acreage (+6%) and a higher hectare yield (+1,5%). Of the total harvest, worth an estimated 9,5 million tons, between 5% and 10% was lost, analysts believe.

Season-ending odds
Insiders confirm that potato quality is a concern for growers. Most problems are visible in the wet north, but the drier southwest also faces storage problems. Whether this means that processors such as McCain, Aviko and Farm Frites will ultimately buy free potatoes in the Netherlands is open to question.

If a shortage arises, free chip potatoes will first be sought closer to home. In Germany, for example, where cheap table potatoes are also purchased. Prices there are now moving, which could have a domino effect. If an opportunity arises for the Netherlands, it will present itself in the final phase of the season. Long-term storage on clay soil, with mechanically cooled storage, may benefit.

protest actions
Polish arable farmers are faced with low product prices for the second year in a row. In the 2016/2017 season, potato prices did not increase, despite high prices on the Western European market. During the current season, a European potato glut is keeping prices low. The Polish Union of Potato and Vegetable Growers (Unii Warzywno-Ziemniaczanej) protests to get the government's attention. According to this organization, Polish supermarkets are full of imported potatoes and vegetables.

The Union mentions an average table potato price for the farmer of 20 zÅ‚oty per 100 kilos, equivalent to €4,75. For onions this is €9,50 per 100 kilos. Supermarkets sell the products for €47 to €95 per 100 kilos. In addition to the import of vegetables, it is also angry about the import of cheap Ukrainian wheat and the loss of the Russian market. Free export of potatoes, among other things, to Western Europe is on the wish list. It calls on Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki to take action.A cell with Fontane fries potatoes in Poland.