The yield of seed potatoes is expected to be considerably lower, partly due to bacterial disease, the mosaic virus and the drought. The question that now arises is: will there be enough seed potatoes to provide for the ware potato area, or will Bintje perhaps play a role again? The seed potato trading houses are still reacting cautiously for the time being.
Various reports from the NAK inspection service show that there are many more seed potatoes to be lowered in class, compared to other years. This is mainly due to bacterial disease, but the mosaic virus also plays a role. The latest update from the inspection service shows that 14,6% of the seed has been reduced in class.
In addition, more was rejected than last year (+1,5%). The problems are particularly serious in the south and center of the country. The problems with the seed potatoes are also serious in Belgium. There is a lot of virus and bacteria in the Belgian potters.
Problems in other countries
"It is also dry in other important seed potato supplying countries (Scotland and France)," reports Olaf van Campen, advisor at Adama. In Scotland, yields are estimated to be 40% to 50% lower. This means that significantly fewer seed potatoes will be available across the board.
Various seed potato growers report that the situation is very worrying. The biggest problem, they say, is the high temperature. As a result, growth has now come to a halt. Whether there is enough quantity differs from plot to plot. In general, the plans already have good tubers, but the expectation is that they will never grow to size.
Do not sprinkle
The seed potatoes are in poor condition on many plots. In the north of the Netherlands, the seed potatoes may no longer be irrigated because of brown rot. In the southwest of the country it is often not possible to irrigate because of too salty water. Several arable farmers are now also reporting that the sources are becoming exhausted. Although rain is very welcome, seed potato growers are concerned about future precipitation. If it rains, there is a good chance that wax will develop.
The question gradually arises: will there be enough seed potatoes to fill the acreage for ware potatoes? The seed potato area is increased to nearly 44.000 hectares. However, the ware potato area has also increased. Not only in the Netherlands, but also in France and Germany. To be able to plant this area again next year, there will have to be enough seed potatoes this year.
Enough seed potatoes?
According to Gerard Backx (director of HZPC) and John van Hoogen (Director of Agrico) still too early to talk about a shortage of seed potatoes to fill the ware potato area. "It is also too early to talk about extra demand for Bintje and other free varieties," says Van Hoogen. "It acreage Bintje has fallen sharply and is now also taking the biggest blows in cultivation."
Backx does not yet have exact figures for the expected lower yields. "Let's wait until we do the trial harvesting, because all we're saying now is speculation." He does indicate that the foreign HZPC customers are prepared for a special situation.
Van Hoogen also urges caution. "We should not exaggerate yet. There are more reductions and rejections, but there is sufficient acreage. And yes, the drought does indeed cause the crops to wear out quickly." According to him, there were enough numbers, but the growth is now out of the crops. This keeps the seed potatoes fine. However, it expects that the number of tubers will come.
Extra question for Bintje
Growers are extra concerned, because yields are likely to be lower and prices are quite fixed. This is because the French fries industry fixes the industrial varieties for several years. Agrico also does this, but only sells the seed potatoes to other destinations if they know what the yields are.
Van Campen sees that the early seed potato varieties have now died. He therefore expects the yield to be 8% to 15% lower. "Usually there is always more than enough seed potatoes, about 15% often goes to other destinations. This means that the best lots can be selected. I expect that all lots must now be used. This means that worse lots also have to be used become."