The disappointing follow-up checks overshadowed the seed potato market in the past period and that turns out to be right, because. inspection service NAK reports that 37% of all seed potatoes are reduced in class.
This means that the percentage of class reduction is much higher than in previous years. Last year this was also the case. At this time of year it was reported that the reduction percentage in the sampled batches had risen to 25%. In previous years the percentage fluctuated between 8% and 17%.
Combination of causes
According to the NAK, the reductions in the follow-up inspection of 2018 and 2019 are unprecedentedly high. The combination of the very poor initial situation, high vector pressure and the cultivation of a lot of (pre)basic seed potatoes are the likely causes of the problems this year. The inspection service even calls the situation worrying.
This means that, just like in 2018, many growers are taking advantage of the option for re-examination. A good choice for a potato grower who expects to have a low percentage of virus in the batch, according to NAK. Most reductions in the follow-up check this year probably involve a mild virus infection. "Currently, in 60% of cases, the result of a resampling ensures that the plot is placed in the original or an intermediate class."
No delay
At this time, the NAK does not expect to experience any delays in the investigation. Not all seed potatoes have been harvested yet and the stock of batches to be sampled is still large enough. Because more virus is being found across the board, in both high and low percentages, this is the case uncertainty in the market about the availability of reliable starting material. Nevertheless, prices are generally expected to remain stable.