Despite the fact that not all VTA members have harvested their entire potato area, the United Growers Arable Farm did carry out their first stock measurement on 15 November. This shows that 13% more potatoes are in stock than average, of which fewer tons have been sold than last year.
These figures can be explained logically. Compared to the 2018 harvest, the permanent group of reporting VTA members has 21% more potatoes in stock. Of the absolute stock, 51% has now been sold, compared to 59% last year.
More tons delivered
At the time of measurement, 16,6% of the harvest had been delivered. Converted into tonnes, this is 33% more, but almost 7% less than the 5-year average. The stock will be measured again in February and April.
The final hectare yield is lower than previously thought. The organization notes that not all members have provided information because they have not yet finished grubbing up. The question is therefore whether all potatoes will be harvested.
Final yield
On average, the yield for participating growers is 52,9 tons per hectare, while this was previously estimated at 54,1 tons in the September test harvesting. Statistics Netherlands' yield estimate is 49,3 tons per hectare. This difference can possibly be explained by the fact that VTA members have traditionally been strongly represented in the southwestern clay area and Flevoland, where the drought was not the most severe.
The spread in yield is very large, with a net yield of 40 to a maximum of 74 tonnes per hectare. The area growth among VTA members amounts to 1,8%, compared to 3,3% nationally compared to last year. The yield figures are 23,6% above the drought-stricken 2018 and 9% above the 5-year average. However, the yield is well 3% below that of the 2017 harvest.