French advice: stop watering potatoes

The French potato area has increased by 1,4% this year. Recent trial harvest figures of UNPT show that the growth curve is currently exactly at the 10-year average. However, the potatoes have progressed further in growth and the current heat period has also had an impact on the crops. The organization expects the country to harvest between 6,5 and 7 million tons of potatoes, under normal harvest conditions. Last year that was 6,6 million tons. The 5-year average is 5,76 million tons.

Old harvest not gone
The old potato crop has still not been completely harvested in the country and must find its destination as animal feed, for the biogas industry or composting. UNPT expects that - even in a favorable scenario where potato processing is again running at 90% of its old capacity - there are too many free potatoes in the market. The organization therefore advises growers to act now. If a second widespread corona outbreak occurs, the situation could become much grimmer.

Not kilos, but quality
Growers should focus on quality and not go for the kilos this year, the organization believes. There has also been expansion on the table potato market and more potatoes are also not desirable there. Plots are therefore no longer irrigated, the grower organization writes. Spraying crops early not only results in fewer potatoes, but also reduces the harvest risk. UNPT also gives this motto. Processors are called upon to respect contracts, agreements made and the market.

The situation is different in the French cultivation of starch potatoes. 95% of this cultivation cannot be irrigated and has suffered greatly from drought. Trial harvests show that the yield is currently very low, so a small harvest is expected.

There are also growers in the Netherlands who stop irrigation reels or choose to irrigate crops other than potatoes.