At the end of April, 4% more Dutch seed potatoes were exported compared to a year earlier. European countries in particular have purchased more seed potatoes. For example, the volume increased significantly towards Germany. Does this rhyme with the call for a smaller potato area this season?
According to the most recent export figures from the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO), 420.791 tons of seed potatoes have been exported across national borders to other EU countries until May. This is 4% more than a year earlier. At that time, the volume of seed potatoes was severely limited due to reduced availability, as a result of the very dry 2018.
This season, Germany has taken over from Belgium as the largest Dutch seed potato customer in Europe. Until May 1, the counter stood at more than 90.000 tons of seed potatoes, compared to 85.000 tons a year earlier. Belgium actually purchased fewer potatoes: 88.000 tons versus 92.000 tons in 2019.
Striking German figures
Within the German potato sector there is talk of expanding the area. There is no question of shrinkage in any case, that is the view. This fits well with the larger imports. According to insiders, the increased volume is due to shifts within the variety package and the fact that German growers have had to purchase more A-class seed potatoes, while more ATR seed potatoes were used last year.
France also purchased slightly fewer Dutch potatoes. 30.000 tons versus 32.500 tons a year earlier. Italy is in 4th place with exports that have increased by 4.300 tons. Spain is number 5, where the volume remained the same. Exports to Poland did increase significantly, by 2.400 tons. Not surprising, since the (seed potato) harvest there was significantly lower last year due to extreme drought.
Acreage decline or not?
The question now is whether all tonnes exported to the EU-5 countries have actually been planted, or whether this has been changed after ordering. Without reliable area figures it is difficult to say anything about this. For Germany, insiders expect that the imported potatoes have indeed been planted. This is not clear for Belgium and France. Poland purchased more, but needed this volume to compensate for its small own harvest.
Turkey
Of the destinations outside the EU, Turkey purchased the most potatoes. The volume increased to 15.200 tons. Not surprising, the Turkish chip potato sector is booming. The country benefits from increasing sales to destinations where Europeans are hindered by the political game.
The total Dutch seed potato balance for the 2019 harvest amounts to 753.731 tons. That is 9% more than a year earlier. Especially because more potatoes were exported to the continents of America, Asia and Africa. As mentioned, this is not a fair comparison, due to the tight 2018 harvest. Compared to the 2017 harvest, the exported volume is 3% lower.