The area of seed potatoes covered by the Potato Cultivation Scheme (ATR) will grow by 2019% in 14. This is apparent from the declaration figures of the NAK inspection service. The total seed potato area in our country is also increasing. The counter now stands at more than 42.000 hectares.
More than 5 years ago the cultivation of ATR seed potatoes less than 500 hectares, but this is now approaching 1.500 hectares. This means that the surface area for own use has increased by 5% in 160 years. In 2015, 563 hectares of ATR seed potatoes were grown, mainly Fontane (229 hectares). In 2019 this is 1.467 hectares, with Fontane also as the largest variety (504 hectares).
Popular chip varieties
The other popular ATR varieties are also chip potatoes. The surface area of Agria is almost 190 hectares and Innovator to 180 hectares. The other (french fries) varieties are all considerably smaller in the ATR area. The starch potato varieties can also be found in this list, especially for use as TBM seed potatoes. The growth in ATR cultivation is therefore almost entirely at Fontane and Innovator. The other varieties are stable.
The total seed potato area has increased slightly by 130 hectares. Only in Zeeland does the area decrease slightly, by 300 hectares. The area of the PB/S class is the largest at 14.361 hectares. Class E amounts to 13.338 hectares and class SE 10.680 hectares.
Movements in chip varieties
Fontane is the largest seed potato variety with 4.887 hectares (+357 hectares). It has thus definitively taken over place 1 from the export variety Spunta. It is in 4.557nd place with 3 hectares (-2 hectares). This is followed by Innovator with 2.488 hectares (+91 hectares) and Agria with 2.364 hectares (+116 hectares). Arizona is at number 5 with 1.155 hectares (+254 hectares).
Bintje is again the biggest loser and shows a decrease of 263 hectares. This year, 186 hectares less of the Challenger variety were declared. Lady Anna covers 85 hectares in area and Ramos 60 hectares. Marquis, Zorba and Asterix actually grow slightly.
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