As expected, the first export figures for seed potatoes from the 2018 harvest show a considerably lower exported volume. This has to do with the availability of the starting material. The trading houses, on the other hand, expect that the worst has been suffered.
Until 1 January 2019, a total of 279.207 tons of the 2018 harvest were exported, which means that 65.500 tons of seed potatoes were exported less than in the same period last year (-20%). The trading houses think such a discount is realistic for this season and this line will most likely be continued.
Reduced availability
Cuba is one of the earliest destinations for Dutch seed potatoes. The export figures show that almost 2.000 tons less was shipped to the North American country, mainly due to the reduced availability of seed potatoes. Important destinations in Africa (such as Algeria, Egypt and Morocco) also received less seed.
"You have to take the figures with a grain of salt, because the export had not yet ended on December 31, 2018," says Jan van Hoogen, director of Agrico. According to him, customers are reacting based on the reduced availability. "When there is no more, then everything stops."
'It's a shame, but it's no different'
Gerard Backx, director of trading house HZPC, agrees. "People have been aware of the situation for a long time. Everyone would have wished it differently, but the offer forces us into this position. Customers have to find another solution. That's a shame, but it's no different." Van Hoogen also notes that the high prices deter buyers, which has consequences for the volume. Both Backx and Van Hoogen expect that a drop of 15% to 20% in the export volume will remain noticeable this season. Neither expect it to fall below 20%.
The trading houses have now started to deliver seed potatoes to (early) European destinations and the early varieties. In addition to the lesser availability, there is also the issue of 'quality'. All kinds of quality problems have arisen this season. However, the real extradition has yet to start, it is too early for that.
Europe not at full speed
European export figures up to 1 January are about 2.000 tons behind last year. France received slightly more of the major destinations, which may also indicate that more starting material was exported there for early cultivation. However, it is too early to draw firm conclusions.