When the price of Belgapom was announced (Friday morning 5 October), the quotation for Bintje appeared to have dropped. With this, Belgapom lowers the listing for Bintje for the second week in a row.
It is a noticeable and striking move, which (given the feeling on the physical market) was not expected by many traders and growers. During the off-shore period you often see that the market comes under pressure due to a lot of supply, but in this unique year in particular the market seemed to escape this.
Last week, business was done for prices ranging from €26 to €28 ex land. Also the Belgian industries are active on the market at prices of €27 (ex works). These prices are paid for varieties such as Fontane, Challenger and Innovator.
No underwater weight requirement
The drop in the price for Bintje is due to the fact that the specification does not impose any requirements on underwater weight. Only the comment suitable for fries is important. There is a wide range of Bintje with glass (more than 30%), which have an average underwater weight of sometimes lower than 300 grams.
These are lots that people do not dare to save and are therefore offered for any price. PCA recorded €25 this week for Bintje with an underwater weight of at least 360 grams. Belgapom thus sends the signal that there is a lot of glass in the Bintjes.
It also means that the quotation is actually a quotation for a potato that is not suitable for French fries, which must first go through a salt bath. This will be another blow to the variety, which is increasingly losing ground in the cultivation of chip potatoes.