The acreage for ware potatoes in northwestern Europe has increased slightly this year, according to the European growers' organization NEPG. The largest part of the increase comes from Germany and France, although a transition to the cultivation of table potatoes seems to have taken place.
NEPG reports this in a statement. According to the organization, the area of consumption potatoes in Northwest Europe will increase by 0,5% to 621.148 hectares. This increase in area is considered 'too much' under the current circumstances with the corona crisis, NEPG writes cautiously. "The corona crisis came at a time when growers had already ordered their seed potatoes and rented potato land. Too late for an area reduction."
Drought and frost
NEPG emphasizes that there are still many uncertainties in the current potato market, including the final field yield of the potato crop in Northwestern Europe. For example, the drought of the spring may have already limited yield potential. The early potatoes in Germany suffered from night frost. The association also points to the 5% decrease in potato acreage in the United States, which may also have an impact on exports.
In the eyes of NEPG, the biggest question mark remains the influence of the corona crisis on the agricultural markets in the coming months. It is also unclear what impact the CIPC ban has on the longer storage of consumption potatoes.