Table potato market returns to steam

Despite the fact that harvesting was often carried out under wet conditions last autumn, table potato growers were generally able to deliver excellent product. Customers are now noticing that quality is starting to decline. Companies with modern box storage can still deliver potatoes well, but imported products are increasingly being marketed.

Chip potatoes are not an option for this segment, due to the variety choice and coarseness. This also applies to Agria. These batches are often very coarse and mainly intended for fresh fries. Consumers eat slightly more fries indoors, but do not often cut potatoes themselves. Not only in the Netherlands, but also Spanish providers of Agria are experiencing sales problems.

Table potato prices
In the Netherlands, the switch to the new harvest from the Mediterranean is expected in mid-May. This is usually already the case in other European countries. Potatoes come from Morocco, Egypt, Israel and Malta. At a price level of €60 per 100 kilos, potatoes from Morocco are the lowest priced, but the peel quality is less attractive this year, traders note. Egyptian potatoes are just above that in price level, between €65 and €70. They are particularly pleased with the potatoes from Israel. The price level is between €70 and €75 per 100 kilos.

Such prices can be called average when you look at the multi-year trend. Compared to last season, prices are considerably lower. At that time there was a very high price level.

It is estimated that the supply will shift to mainland Europe at the end of May. The season is a little earlier due to favorable growing conditions until mid-March. After that it became changeable. It is relatively wet, especially on the east coast - where mainly vegetables are grown. Conditions are better in the potato region of Andalusia, although problems with phytophthora have been reported. Growers hope that it will be dry enough to be able to harvest next month. The early potato area is estimated to have remained stable.

Harvest must be forced to mechanize
Spanish growers are now planning the harvest. This manual labor is often performed by Eastern European guest workers, who are now mostly at home. In contrast to fruit and vegetable growers, potato farmers have the luxury of being able to employ harvesters, which alleviates the labor burden somewhat. Transport with refrigerated trailers to Northwest Europe is also usually done by Eastern European companies, which are now finding it more difficult to find drivers. On the other hand, these companies have less to transport for the French fries sector. Higher transport costs are offset by low diesel prices, insiders say.

There is a stable and healthy demand for table potatoes in the Netherlands, insiders note. At the beginning of the corona crisis, there was a peak in sales, after which things remained quiet. Sales have now stabilized. Around Easter this was higher than average. Consumers are increasingly buying potatoes for cooking and are adjusting their diet to live a healthier life. This often includes boiled or baked potatoes.

Supermarket promotions
Promotions at supermarket chains have, among other things, resulted in increased sales. The Supermarket Scanner shows that the price of a 5 kilo bag of table potatoes was significantly higher until April 1, compared to a year earlier. You paid around €5 for a bag, compared to €4 a year earlier. Prices started to drop in April – mainly due to promotions. Last year they actually rose. When switching to the new harvest, a clear price increase is noticeable.

According to insiders, there are hardly any chip potato growers who are quickly switching to the table potato market. If more table potatoes are being grown, this will mainly be among growers who were already familiar with this. There is no growth in the area in this segment and companies are often not equipped for table varieties. An increase in volume is therefore not expected.