At the end of September, the main crop of chips potatoes is slowly picking up steam. In the majority of the plots, the potato crop is sprayed to death, waiting to be harvested.
There have been reports of problems with the underwater weight in various plots, which forces a number of growers to postpone spraying the crop to death. There is a delay in the harvest, especially in France and Belgium, due to the extremely dry conditions there. Growers report that harvesting at the beginning of the week was impossible as 30 to 40% of soil came with it in the form of hard clods.
Belgium and France seem to have made the least progress with the main harvest. Insiders report that a maximum of 20% of the main harvest has been harvested there. In Germany things are a little smoother. In the states of Bavaria and Lower Saxony, approximately 30% of the potato harvest has been harvested. In North Rhine-Westphalia, growers are less advanced, as it is reported that a maximum of 10% has been harvested. The table potato harvest in Germany is now 85% in, just like the seed potatoes.
The Netherlands between harvest progression
In the Netherlands, growers are somewhere between the Belgian, French and German harvest progression. In our country, according to field forecasts, approximately 25% of the main harvest is safely behind the shelves. When we look at the weather, things can get exciting. If expectations come true, not much will be harvested in the next 14 days. The soil allows it, because it is extremely dry and can store a lot of water. But you also need dry days to be able to harvest.
All harvest developments seem to be slipping away from the physical market. For the sixth week in a row, Belgapom is trading at €10, showing a very flat line. The price was expected to rise slightly, as supply is becoming increasingly difficult due to drought. It is striking to see that this does not happen. The processors are therefore prepared to pay a lot of money for transport in order to keep the home market calm.
Many potatoes moved
In any case, many potatoes are currently being moved throughout Europe. Fontane from France to the Netherlands, Innovator from the Netherlands to France and from Germany to Poland. And potatoes are delivered to Belgian processors from all neighboring countries of Belgium. Apparently the transport costs are taken for granted rather than allowing the grower to benefit from the urgent demand.
After the rising prices, the futures market is now showing a sideways movement due to the lack of subsequent growth. This is mainly due to the fact that the physical market does not show rising prices in the various quotations. This gives the futures market a considerable expected value compared to the day/spot market. Buyers are therefore becoming cautious and first want to see confirmation of a rising physical market before paying more money on the futures market.