Like many other European countries, it has been hot and dry in the French potato growing areas. The consequences of this are still clearly visible. What consequences does this have for the main crop for ware potatoes?
Both the agricultural statistics office of the French government (Agreste) and the French growers' organization (UNPT) have published figures about their yield expectations. The differences between the numbers are large, something we see often. UNPT's figures come from 240 test harvests that the member growers themselves supply.
Final area.
Agreste writes about a potato (main) harvest of 6,5 million tons, an increase of 10% compared to the extreme year 2018 (600.000 tons). The statistics office reports an average hectare yield of more than 43 tons per hectare. It should be noted that the figures are certainly not definitive; especially the non-irrigated plots are highly dependent on precipitation. The ministry sets the area at 152.000 hectares.
However, grower organization UNPT comes up with significantly lower figures. To start with, they expect the area for consumption potatoes to amount to 147.000 hectares (+2,1% compared to last year). The first trial harvest figures (from 240 sampled plots) show an average yield of 25,86 tonnes per hectare, for all species. If we only look at the storage potatoes for the main harvest, the average is considerably higher at 34,6 tons per hectare.
Trial harvests average
This level is identical to the 5-year average. It should be noted that the plots with an average planting date of April 18 were put into the ground slightly earlier. The planting conditions were good, as was the initial development. UNPT therefore believes that crops are further along than usual.
Depending on the weather conditions in August and September, these figures mean that the country harvests between 6,2 million and 6,7 million tons of potatoes for the main harvest. Last year the yield was 6,3 million tons. In 2017 this was a huge 7,73 million tons and in 2014 even 8 million tons.
UNPT notes that initial yield figures are extremely heterogeneous, with a range of 9 tons or more. In addition to the breed differences, irrigation also causes differences. This is also visible in the trial harvest figures for starch potatoes, because they are very poor. Less than 5% of those crops are irrigated and they grow on very light soils. There is also mention of continued growth in sensitive varieties after the arrival of some rain.
Watch out for area expansion
The UNTP is satisfied with the progress of the marketing year so far. Because the market was empty early, there was a lot of demand for the new harvest. Until August 15, French farmers can officially sell their potatoes as an early harvest. The early industrial varieties are now taking over the market. To keep the potato market healthy, UNPT writes that it is important to monitor the size of the acreage in 2020. This applies to all segments: main harvest, early crop and starch.
If we take a look at the most recent figures from Aviko Potato, it is clear that it continues to follow the 2016 trend in terms of yield and underwater weight. The gross average is 43 tons per hectare with an underwater weight of almost 370. If 2019 maintains this line, the gross kilos will be just under 60 tons per hectare. The second lowest result in 6 years. Only in 2018 was the yield even lower. To date, Aviko's samples have been relatively coarse. However, the percentage of 50 millimeters upward increased less rapidly in week 32 and is now equal to 2018 with 70% in that category.