For the time being, Belgian potato growers are left empty-handed when it comes to emergency support for the 2019 harvest. Trade association Belpotato calls on growers to register their stock, so that an inventory can be made of exactly how much unsaleable product is in storage.
Now that the Netherlands has a compensation scheme and the Germans are divided over a solution, the Belgians are largely alone in Brussels, partly supported by France. It is estimated that 750.000 tons of French fries potatoes are still stored in the country, which cannot find a destination for the industry. An additional deadline is applied. Within 2 weeks it is no longer permitted to use the germination inhibitor CIPC, writes the Walloon potato organization Fiwap. Storing it for even longer becomes a problem, which could cause the surplus to increase further. An extension of the period of use is expected, but is not a certainty.
Backlog
Belpotato sticks to the 750.000 tons, but writes that processors are slowly receiving more orders again. The processing capacity is estimated to have halved, although the differences between processors are large. This has to do with the market for which they produce. The organization believes that the final potato surplus will be between 500.000 tons and 750.000 tons. The industry in the country is currently 200.000 tons behind in collecting contract potatoes from growers, the trade association calculates. This must be eliminated in July and August.
To know exactly what the situation is among growers, Belpotato calls on potato parties report on the website Belpotato.be. Growers must submit their tons, together with additional information about storage, supplemented with photos, and information about the cultivation. The organization sees this as proof that it should be well prepared in the event of an emergency arrangement. It cannot give any guarantees at this time. Anyone who sells free kilos to alternative channels would do well to clearly state this on the consignment note, the organization writes.
Boosting consumption
First of all, the potato sector hopes that as many fries and other potato products as possible are consumed in their own country. Advertising campaigns should stimulate domestic consumption. Donating to the food bank is seen as a second option, followed by sales to animal feed and finally bio-fermentation. There is currently not enough support at a national level to compensate growers, or the money is simply not available. Eyes are therefore on the European Commission.