Less seed potatoes, more wheat certified

Significantly less seed potatoes are certified in the Netherlands, while more wheat is certified. This is apparent from the first certification figures from the NAK inspection service.

Until November 1, 2018, there are about 49.813 tons of potatoes certified, which is 8.400 tons less than last year on November 1. Gerard Backx, director of HZPC, indicates that this is mainly due to the fact that the harvest is significantly lower. Fewer seed potatoes will be certified there.

"In addition, the harvest is late. Due to the drought of last summer, many people waited (or had to wait) before harvesting. Quality and follow-up also play a role in this," says Backx. The director expects that there will be less certification throughout the year, partly because the tons are simply not there.

Exports are also lagging behind
Jan van Hoogen, director of Agrico, indicates that exports are currently lagging slightly. "Every country will receive a little less this year, mainly due to the lower yields. Exports will then logically lag behind."

The fact that the reduction percentage is quite high does not affect the certification. "In the long run, this may cause problems with the availability of high-quality seed potatoes," says Ton Stolte of the NAK. The reduction percentage has risen again, according to the figures of the NAK (November 5). The follow-up check is now almost complete (87% completed) and the reduction percentage has been increased to 25,7%. 

Seed potato shortage
The fact that less has been certified to date has no direct connection with the Dutch acreage. This is because most of the seed potatoes go abroad. Nevertheless, the figures again indicate that there are considerably fewer seed potatoes available; especially in the early varieties there is a tightness. The fact that the reduction percentage is also so high does not help the situation.

The same figures, on the other hand, show that considerably more cereal seed is certified. For example, 2.239 more tonnes of winter wheat have been certified. However, this does not immediately mean that the acreage of winter wheat in the Netherlands will increase, as the seed is also exported abroad.

Wheat acreage is growing
Inquiries indicate that the area will increase somewhat. "The acreage of winter wheat is increasing slightly, partly due to the positive price development. There was also a lot of demand from our eastern neighbours, which resulted in more exports," says Ton Wouda, commercial manager of arable farming at Limagrain.

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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