Belgium puts first early potato listing on board

According to the latest test harvesting results of Tuesday, July 14, which were published by PCA, the yields appear to be slightly below (in the case of Amora) the 5-year average. And this despite the drought, where the quality is generally good. Due to all the corona issues and the consequences this has had for the potato market in recent months, there is hardly - or, to be honest, no - demand for free potatoes. Making a quotation is therefore not a simple matter.

Bulldozer effect
The fact that the old harvest potatoes (for which PCA/Fiwap quoted €29 per 3,00 kg this week) still hangs over the market like a dark cloud makes the start of the early season extra difficult. Because the factories cannot yet operate at full processing capacity, the bulldozer effect is expected to be significant in the coming period. Also considering the current good growing conditions. The yield per hectare will increase in the coming weeks, which will make it difficult to match the supply.

PCA/Fiwap recorded early potatoes for the first time this season today (Tuesday, July 14). This quotation is set at €5 to €7 per 100 kg ex grower. The first quotations were also set this low in the 2014 and 2017 harvest years. So if the trend of those harvest years also holds true for this season. the average quotation comes to around a paltry €2,00 per 100 kg. This means that the very negative trend that started in March as a result of the coronavirus will unfortunately continue.