Post-check capacity at NAK has been reduced

Approximately 57% of all parties have been sampled. It reduction percentage is, however, very high and has now risen to 25,2% (of the 40% of the parties with a result). The fact that a re-examination is requested so often causes capacity problems at the NAK. That is why the organization is reducing the number of samples from 2.000 to 1.600 per week.

Re-examination is given priority
In addition, priority is given to parties for which re-examination has been requested. "The NAK wants to complete the batches that need to be resampled as quickly as possible. This is because we must be able to guarantee that the results of the retest will be known within 2 to 3 weeks," says Ton Stolte, operations manager at the NAK. Once the re-application has been processed, the lots can be definitively traded and the lot can be removed from the NAK board.

"The capacity drops from 100% to 90%. This means that the trading houses have to wait longer regular check. However, this can be controlled. Once lots are in our stock, that is not possible," says Stolte. Overtime is also worked to keep capacity as high as possible.

Extreme reduction percentage
According to Stolte, it is special that the reduction percentage is so high. "This has not happened in recent years." Yet the situation is worrying for next season. "The fact that the batches that have not been reduced have 0% virus does not mean that they do not have the virus. They probably do have a virus, but that does not lead to a reduction. It means that there is work to be done next season and that there is a lot of should be selected."

There is a lot going on, especially in the highest class reducedbecause the highest standards apply there. "In general, the potatoes were harvested under good conditions and there are not many problems with Erwinia. Some scab has been found."