Inside Potatoes
Is the Netherlands following the Belgian approach?
The Belgian potato industry has broken away from the leading group in potato country. Both Bintje and Fontane are making strides, showing the listing of PCA/Fiwap. That makes the Dutch position crucial. Are we going to chase the attack, or will Belgium let itself down again?
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Choose the subscription that suits youPCA/Fiwap noted Monday, January 15, a price of €27,50 to €31 per 100 kilos for Bintje. The price for Fontane and Challenger is set at €30 to €32,50, with €30 still the most commonly used. The situation regarding Bintje is already there featured. However, it is now also visible that the large segment is moving along.
What does the Netherlands do?
The role of Dutch buyers, the industries, is currently crucial. What course do they take? When we look at the listing of the Platform Potato Transactions (PAT), then we see that the €30 barrier has not yet been broken.
It is not a given that the Netherlands will follow its southern neighbors. The scenario may even be that Belgium stabilizes or even declines slightly in the coming weeks, especially because it cannot maintain its position as the most expensive boy in the class. The supply of freely sold potatoes on the market remains very limited.
Potato Futures Market
However, if the Dutch industry chooses to go along with the new price level, this will mean an important step for the entire market. The 'April 2019 contract' on the potato futures market is now trading around €33 per 100 kilos, but could also seek a new top point in the event of such a movement.
