Do potatoes still benefit from precipitation?

The most recent Aviko Potato's trial harvest figures show a gross yield of 45 tons per hectare. This means it scores far below par compared to previous years. The underwater weight (owg) in the size 40 millimeters upwards continues to decrease and is 390 grams, which is the same as in 2013. The development is therefore counterproductive to other seasons, where the development actually increased during these weeks. The percentage 50 millimeters upward increases further and is around 75%.

Trial harvest figures Bruwier
Also the Belgian potato trading house brewer from Waregem (near Kortrijk) has published the first trial harvest figures. Bintje arrives here in week 34 with a net yield of 25,5 tons per hectare (35 millimeters upwards). Approximately 40% is in the size 50 millimeters upwards, with a 2,9 ton undersize. Fontane is at 30,9 tonnes per hectare (net) in the same week. Of this, 60% is in the size 50 millimeters upwards, with a 1,4 ton undersize. For the net proceeds, 15% of the gross kilos is deducted.

The 5-year average for Bintje is 44,2 tons per hectare and for Fontane it is 47,4 tons per hectare. This means that the year 2018 scores 42% and 35% lower respectively. All plots of Bintje are experiencing overgrowth. At Fontane this is 50%. Bintje is on average 50% matured and at only 30% the Fontane's are more vital.

Innovator in Emmeloord
potato trading house Van der Linde in Emmeloord has now sampled their 5 Innovator plots for week 35. In 1 week, an average of 1,75 tons per hectare grew, so the result is now almost 52 gross tons. There are 2 plots that remain below 50 tons. The 5-year average for week 35 is 62,4 tons per hectare.

Precipitation in the Netherlands
In the last days of August, a lot of local precipitation fell in the Netherlands. In the southwest, where almost no significant rain had previously fallen, between 50 and 90 millimeters are now recorded. More than 100 millimeters fell in the Noordoostpolder and Friesland. The east is relatively dry, with a monthly rainfall of 40 to 50 millimeters. This also applies to Limburg, where the monthly sum sometimes does not exceed 25 millimeters.

(Text continues below the image)There has been a lot of local precipitation in recent days.

Less rain has fallen in Belgium. The month of August is currently good for 50 millimeters. Even less fell in France. The northern arable area had to make do with 5 to a maximum of 15 millimeters. Little rain has also fallen in Germany. The south received the most precipitation, but the values ​​remain at least 50% below average. It remains extremely dry in the east and northeast. Only 1 millimeters fell between Berlin and Leipzig between August 25 and 5. There was also no precipitation in Poland and the United Kingdom.

Slightly changeable weather is expected in the coming days. According to reports, there is no longer much significant rain. Temperatures are rising again towards the weekend up.

Regrowth or growth?
The question now is to what extent the precipitation can cause regrowth. The early potato crops, such as Innovator, have already died off in most places. The late Fontane, Ramos, Marquis and Victoria plots may still be able to grow some more. However, overgrowth is a problem in all varieties. This became clear again at the Potato Demonstration Day, where the subject was much discussed. A relatively insensitive Fontane also has to contend with overgrowth.

Various growers report that plots treated with maleic hydrazide (MH or Fazor) still produce sprouts. The spraying was probably hardly effective in many places due to the drought. The plant has not absorbed and transported the product properly. To prevent further problems, later varieties with MH are also treated.

Potato Futures Market
The EEX potato futures market opens slightly higher on Monday, August 27: €30,40 per 100 kilos for the April contract 2019. This is due to the combination of insufficient precipitation in Western Europe, the washout problem and the current yield figures. All figures in the EU-5 (made available so far) show that growth has largely stopped. This makes a historically low yield increasingly definitive.In West Flanders, all varieties suffer from overgrowth that continues to develop.