Potato cultivation in Wallonia is becoming saturated

The rise of potato cultivation in French-speaking Belgium is not something that happened in recent years. According to Pierre Lebrun, coordinator of fiwap, it is a trend that has been visible in the last 15 to 20 years. However, significant steps have been taken in the past 10 years. The surface of ware potatoes doubled almost; in 2017 this involved 41.300 hectares. In Flanders that is to estimate 49.954 hectares this year.

Area increase
A few percentages of growth will also be expected for 2018 expected. Based on provisional figures published by PCA, the Flemish government and the NEPG, a Walloon area of ​​46.663 hectares is possible. However, this would mean a significant increase; more than the 6% PCA writes about.

The NEPG, to which Fiwap is also a member, keeps it at 1,4% for the whole of Belgium. This stems from a minus for Flanders and a plus for Wallonia. Fiwap is waiting for official figures from the Walloon government. He only wants to publish it when all the potatoes have been planted, so as not to influence the acreage.

(Text continues below the chart)The potato area in Belgium is growing almost year on year.

There are two main reasons for the rise of potato cultivation: a lack of alternatives and ambition from the industry. Falling grain prices, and more recently a lower sugar beet price, are causing arable farmers to look for an alternative that brings more money into their pockets. Decades of rotation of extensive crops yields virgin soil for potatoes. "This means an additional yield of 2 to 3 tons per hectare", says Lebrun.

Industry influence
The Belgian potato processing industry has stood on the sidelines and has contributed considerably to growth. First of all, by building storage sheds in the region. Potatoes are grown under contract and delivered from land by farmers who do not have their own storage facilities. "After a few years, these companies usually choose to build their own storage warehouse," says the Fiwap man.

"This results in a large number of companies that grow between 25 and 70 hectares. They themselves have 1 or 2 new sheds. These are specialized arable farms. The number of mixed companies with potatoes is small. Around Tournai you see this more, which from a historical perspective. These farms are quite small scale. Most of the grassland has been plowed in the last 15 years."

potato move
Wallonia now also has huge potato companies that grow almost nothing else. These are mainly located in the region around Liège. This concerns companies with 300 to 500 hectares of potatoes. Lebrun knows that Dutch growers, especially from Limburg, also cross the border. "The Dutch pay higher rents than the Belgians, so that they acquire land for potatoes. In turn, the Belgians rent more land in Northern France, for example around Cambrai. They pay more than the French potato growers do."

This 'potato move' is confirmed by insiders. Due to intensive rotations, Flemish growers are moving to Wallonia and Northern France. This is happening increasingly. In addition, French farmers are concluding more contracts with Belgian processors. The first 50 kilometers from the border is now becoming saturated. It is an intensive cultivation region. The French acreage expansion is therefore more southerly. In the past, the table potato market was traditionally located here, where cultivation was done for the fresh market. The industrial potato is gaining in importance here.

Lebrun is concerned about crop rotation. "Now it is usually 1 in 4 or 1 in 5. This is easy to manage. In some regions it is already going to 1 in 3. That cannot be sustained in the future. The availability of land is coming to an end. we avoid phytosanitary risks, then we have to stop expanding acreage now. The current potato area is sufficient."

(Text continues below the photo)Years of grain cultivation makes the Walloon agricultural land extremely suitable for potatoes.

How to achieve more production?
The crossing to France is a requirement to continue to meet the growth spurt of French fries producers. On the other hand, an attempt can be made to increase the hectare yield. Irrigation is not possible in large parts of Wallonia. Moreover, according to Lebrun, it is not profitable for chips potatoes. Growers of table potatoes can sometimes irrigate.

Another option is to choose high-yielding varieties. The Belgian favourite; Bintje, is this year on his smallest acreage ever. Fontane is the number 1 in Belgium. Challenger and Innovator follow. However, with Challenger, after the erratic 2017 season, there are relatively many problems in custody. This was even discussed during the Europatat Congress. Belgapom secretary Romain Cools even calls the disappearance of Bintje a healthcare. Advocates of Flemish fries have embraced the potato in the personification of James Bint. It should make Belgian fries known worldwide.

Smooth start
In the meantime, Walloon arable farmers will complete the planting work at the beginning of May. Lebrun estimates that 10% to 20% still have to go into the ground. "At the weekend, almost all the potatoes are in it. A little more may need to be done in some places. More planting is also necessary in West Flanders. The conditions are good this year and the soil structure is good. The first plots have rain and rain in good time. had been warm. The emergence has been smooth as a result. On average, planting is 5 to 10 days later, but a rapid emergence makes up for this delay."

Good conditions and a good start immediately remind growers of the 2017 harvest. Record yields brought extremely low free market prices. "The danger of fewer potatoes in Flanders is that Walloon farmers anticipate this and plant more", says Lebrun. "Seed potatoes are not a problem this year. Maize can be replaced by potatoes. The conditions are nice, but will it rain or will it remain dry? It is difficult to make statements about the yield now."Potato growers in Wallonia are completing planting. The scale is sometimes enormous.