Storage specialists notice that this year the arable farmers are more focused than usual on preserving good quality potatoes. Nevertheless, there are some parties with problems.
The situation in potato storage is not disappointing (on average). On the other hand, the customers of various storage specialists are more conscious about storage than in previous years. For example, there is more demand for advice than usual, which is mainly due to the current market situation.
Due to the perfect harvesting conditions, the lots came in well and there were few wound problems. Yet a clear division can be made. About half of the potatoes are in an excellent condition and those batches are already moving towards the correct storage temperature. The cold nights are favorable for this, although there is a risk that it will happen too quickly cooled down is becoming.
Lesser parties
However, there are certainly also lesser parties. These parties still require a lot of internal ventilation to get air movement going. Problems with wet rot can often also be found in the batches. These are mainly washed lots, which were harvested early and where glass potatoes can be found.
These batches must be dried thoroughly. However, this also means that these batches are not yet at the right storage temperature. To be on the safe side, some arable farmers therefore ventilate more than necessary.
Area dependent
Approximately 50% of the lots are said to be in very good condition, but the other 50% have problems. On the other hand, there is not much culling. The good lots are mainly found on clay soils. In the batches that come from sandy soil, there is often something wrong with the quality.
"With the seed potatoes, the potatoes are very eager to germinate. There is also a bit more scab than normal. Furthermore, the lots are in good condition and there is little rot. On the other hand, there is more rhizoctonia than in other years," says Olaf van Campen, advisor at Adama.
Problems in France
There are also problems in potato storage in France. The French potato growers' organizations CNIPT and UNPT report that poor-quality potatoes must be culled. There are problems with greenery and germination in the country, among other things; There is still very little supply of good quality, especially from Bintje.