The proverb 'the last stretch is the hardest' has been confirmed this autumn by the potato harvest. The week with good harvest weather ensured that arable farmers in Europe were able to harvest a few percent of the acreage again. However, the 2019 harvest is not yet complete.
The latest estimate of Aviko Potato for this season in the Netherlands there is still 5% to be harvested. This was the position on Friday 22 November, during which a lot of work was also done during the weekend. Compared to the previous report, 3% has therefore been dug up from the ground. If we convert this to estimated hectares, that 5% in figures means 2.800 hectares. We assume a ware potato area of 56.320 hectares (for the main harvest).
There are also more and more noises that not all potatoes come out of the ground. This concerns the impassable corners of a plot with reduced bearing capacity, or the grounds where it simply cannot be harvested and sifted. The province of North Holland is clearly the exception to the rule. In the Wieringermeer, but also in the Haarlemmermeer in particular, there are relatively many potatoes in the ground. Aviko estimates the percentage still to be harvested here at 30%.
832 hectares in North Holland
If we look at the figures of the Combined Statement (via the website Boerenbunder.nl), then the ware potato area in North Holland will be set at 2.772 hectares. This 30% translates back to 832 hectares. The seed potato area in the province is 6.807 hectares. However, this harvest has not been completed everywhere, although harvesting did take place last week.
The potato harvest is nowhere 100% completed, although it can be said that in the southeast there are practically all the potatoes in the country. In the northeast and southwest, a considerable amount of catching up has been made. This concerns just under 2% of the total surface area. In Flevoland there are still potatoes in the ground here and there. In Southern Flevoland in particular, it is a challenge to be able to harvest, because of the heavy soil.
210 hectares in Flevoland
The Flevoland potato acreage this year amounts to 9.330 hectares. With 2% (Eastern Flevoland and Noordoostpolder) and 3% (Southern) still to be harvested, this amounts to approximately 210 hectares that are still in the ground.
Aviko keeps the harvesting progress in the United Kingdom the same (15% still to be harvested), while the British figures stand at 89% (Tuesday 12 November). The reliability is doubted by insiders, although a comment should be made. There are still a lot of potatoes in the ground, especially in the Midwest and Northwest of England. The east has almost finished the harvest.
Waiting for spring
Where there really was a lot of flooding, it is no longer possible to dig up. Another rescue attempt is likely to take place next spring, if it is worth it. Meanwhile, the British potato prices upwards due to a shortage of good quality potatoes.
Belgium and France have also been able to take advantage of dry weather conditions to harvest the last percentages. According to Aviko, the harvest in those countries has not yet been completed, with about 3% still in the ground. According to Fiwap, 400 hectares still need to be cleared in Wallonia. Flanders is estimated to still have 1.000 hectares to clear. Germany and Poland are almost finished with the harvesting work.
Storage issues
For those who have their potatoes 'on dry land', the worries do not always end immediately. A lot of wet soil came along with the harvesting, and harvesting took place around the freezing point. In some storage, rotten tubers are exposed due to frost damage. Sensitive varieties, such as Agria, are now also showing the first storage problems. Attention is still required for the 2019 harvest.