Drought takes its toll on Belgian potatoes

There has been slightly more rain in Belgium than in the Netherlands, but local arable farmers say that it is very dry. In the Flemish part of Belgium it is drier than in Wallonia further south. The general picture is that further south, towards France, more precipitation has fallen.

In Flanders, the precipitation deficit is now 200 millimeters. In the Netherlands the deficit is 20 millimeters higher. The map below shows how dry it is.

(Text continues below the chart)The browner the location, the drier. This shows that the entire country is struggling with drought.

Growing season shortened
According to an insider of the Belgian chips industry, the situation in Belgium is just as dire as in the Netherlands. It is no longer a question of whether there will be yield cuts, but how much. Growth is no longer believed to be possible. The number of growing days is decreasing noticeably, which reduces the chance of a recovery. Moreover, this spring planted late and the root system is not optimal.

PCA writes that Fontane and Challenger have 60 growing days left, of which at least 15 are dry. The first plots are now on their way back. Bintje still has 55 to 65 growing days to go. With hot weather on the way, it's 5 to 12, according to the test center. The factories will switch to a new crop in week 30 or 31. The quality and yield of the early potatoes are very heterogeneous, which presents the factories with a considerable challenge. The yields are not easy, as is the quality. There is also a lack of length in the tubers.

A arable farmer from Wallonia says that it is very dry and that the structure of the soil is very different. In the areas where a lot of rain fell early in the season, the ground is rock hard. This while the structure in other areas is still very good. Innovators in particular are dying, according to him, the Fontanes are in better shape.

Yields reduced
From 8 trial harvestings by PCA, it appears that the yields of early potato varieties that have not been irrigated are significantly lower (-12 tons) than potatoes that have been irrigated three times. The yields on the non-irrigated plots are also about 35% lower, compared to previous years. However, if the yields are only compared with last year (at this time), they are still at the same level.

According to PCA, various batches have been observed in Flanders where shoots can be seen on the tubers, which indicates through-cropping. There are also several varieties (such as Challenger) that are extra sensitive to Alternaria due to the combination of drought, poor structure and early ripening.

Little photosynthesis
The potatoes close the stomata in this weather, so that virtually no photosynthesis takes place. The longer the dry and warm period lasts, the longer the assimilation is delayed. In short: less growing time and ultimately less yield.

In Belgium, the options for irrigating are limited. Irrigation bans have often been put in place where possible. The soil type is also an important factor. Much arable land in Flanders consists of loam, with a well-permeable layer such as sand underneath. Those soils don't hold water well. 

France
Further south, in the north of France, it is also very dry. The last serious rain fell here at the end of May, while the spring was very wet. The structure of the soil is therefore poor and the emergence is far from optimal. "The potatoes are poured into the concrete," says an insider. Trial harvesting, which he has done, shows yields of 20 to 25 tons per hectare. Irrigation is often not possible.

Britain
Previously reported Boerenbusiness already about the drought in England. In the country, the potatoes can still be irrigated, but people fear lower yields. The situation is also serious in Ireland. The expectation is that the harvest will be 50% lower.