Potato harvest remains in line with average

Because the area of ​​consumption potatoes has increased by 1,4% compared to last season, the NEPG predicts a potato harvest of 27,9 million tons in Northwestern Europe. That is 3,8% more than last season. The potato harvest in the NEPG countries then amounted to 26,9 million tons. The average yield per hectare is 44,8 tons. A negative difference of 0,7 tonnes compared to the 5-year average.

Growth is progressing steadily
Data from the NEPG also shows that yields vary greatly per country. In Germany, for example, a potato harvest of 8,5 million tons is expected, which is about 10% more than the 5-year average. In France, a potato volume of around 6,7 million tons is expected. A positive difference of 16% compared to the long-term average of 5,8 million tons. In contrast, the expected potato harvest in both the Netherlands (+0,9%) and Belgium (+0,1%) is slightly above average. For the Netherlands, NEPG expects a potato harvest of 3,6 million tons, with an average hectare yield of 47 tons. That is the highest yield in the EU-5.

However, growth is extremely slow. NEPG reports a growth of only 200 to 300 kilos per day. Earlier on Aviko Potato also described a low growth rate. Recent trial harvest data from Aviko arrive at a yield of just under 60 tons per hectare gross, with almost 90% of the size grading 50 millimeters upwards. This maintains the 2017 trend. This yield figure is higher than expected from the NEPG, but corresponds to the results of the trial harvesting of the Boerenbusiness Dutch Crop tour. The underwater weight has remained stable in recent weeks and is around 390 grams.

NEPG: 'Grower must reduce area'
Since sales have shrunk considerably due to the corona crisis, NEPG advises potato growers to significantly reduce their acreage next year. "Demand from retail has increased slightly, but this is insufficient to compensate for the lost demand from the catering and events industry," the organization writes. Also the question from the processing has increased slightly, but is not yet at the same level as before the corona crisis. "Factories have enough frozen product in stock and they also have sufficient contracted potatoes."

The NEPG then expects that the low prices for free potatoes could last until the end of the year or even longer. "There is no point in growing potatoes and receiving such low prices. Save the land for the future and consider setting aside or growing other crops," the NEPG advises potato growers.