In recent years, since 2015, the acreage for consumption potatoes in Europe has grown considerably. In fact, the acreage grows in line with the needs of the processing industries in Northwestern Europe.
While countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium have already reached their maximum acreage, there is still plenty of room in France. There is also still room in Germany, as growers are switching from table potatoes to consumption potatoes and beet growers are also looking for alternative crops.
In a first round of traders, processors and seed potato trading houses in Europe, the area appears to be continuing to grow for the new season. Sufficient seed potatoes, sufficient land availability and a lack of alternatives seem to stimulate further growth.
Small plus
Land availability also appears to be sufficient in the Netherlands. The supply from livestock farmers on sandy soils in particular provides sufficient opportunities for potato cultivation. Two consecutive years of prices above cost price also provide an incentive among growers. Processors also offer their regular growers more options in terms of acreage due to the increase in processing capacity. This means that the area for the 2020 season in Northwest Europe appears to be able to increase by 2 to 3%.