The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released the definitive harvest estimate for potatoes on Thursday 31 January. Although the figures are not necessarily surprising, there is a small difference compared to the preliminary harvest estimate.
De final estimate for consumption potatoes from the 2018 harvest amounts to 3.136.982 tons, based on 41,2 tons per hectare. The yield per hectare in 2017 was 52,8 tons, making the result 22% lower this year. The harvested area in 2018 amounted to 76.151 hectares, compared to 2017 hectares in 74.4775.
Acre yield varies
CBS published the preliminary harvest estimate as early as October 2018. It was expected that the gross yield of consumption potatoes would amount to 3,1 million tons. That is 23% less than last year. It was also predicted that the area would have increased by 1.678 hectares to 76.452 hectares. The figures therefore show a small difference with the final estimate.
The final hectare yield is also slightly higher (+3%). During the preliminary harvest estimate, a yield of 40 tons per hectare was assumed. On the other hand, the total gross proceeds are quite similar to the preliminary estimate. This has to do with the fact that the harvested area in the final harvest estimate is lower (-0,4%).
Seed and starch potatoes
No figures have yet been published in the provisional harvest estimate on the yields of seed and starch potatoes. These are also missing from the final harvest estimate.