New figures for the British potato harvest of 2019 confirm that the yield is once again in the red. After 2012 and 2018, the sector is again faced with a very negative year.
New figures from government service AHDB Potato show a total potato harvest of 5,10 million tons in Great Britain. This concerns all segments (processing, table and seed potatoes). Although this is an increase of 182.000 tons compared to 2018, the outcome is still negative. The 5-year average is 5,49 million tons. That is the third smallest harvest in recent history. Only in 3 it was even worse.
7.000 hectares not cleared
AHDB estimates the area still to be cleared at more than 7.000 hectares (6% of the total). This is comparable to 2012, when the island entered winter with 5% of its area (7.400 hectares). For the time being, the weather conditions are extremely mild this winter, which means that further harvesting can take place this spring.
2019 was also dry for the British. However, the damage was less extensive than in 2018. The average yield increased by 3,9 tons per hectare, to 45,6 tons. This figure is 2% below the 5-year average of 46,6 tonnes. There is also the difference with 2012. Back then, the harvest had to contend with enormous flooding since the start, while in 2019 this was mainly the tail end.
Quality problems
The quality is the catch. Many parties are experiencing quality problems due to the wet harvesting conditions. Rot is the most common. The crops that were harvested late were often sold and processed immediately because they were unsuitable for storage. The net proceeds therefore remain in limbo. Partly because it is unknown to what extent the 330.500 tons that still have to be harvested are suitable for processing.
AHDB keeps a close eye on things. The final potato yield can statistically differ by 3%, bringing the total somewhere between 4,96 and 5,2 million tons.
No export peak
The 2012-2013 season is also still available to Dutch growers. Here we had a good harvest in 2012, which was in great demand in the UK. Exports were already increasing at the end of 2012. Ultimately, no less than 2012 tons of Dutch potatoes were imported between October 2013 and June 190.000. No such peak is now noticeable. In December, the country purchased 1.442 tons of potatoes, compared to more than 17.000 tons in 2012.