Harvest is progressing, backlog not made up everywhere

Aviko Potato's estimate shows that more than half of the Dutch potato harvest is behind the shelves or has been delivered from the field. This concerns the main harvest of consumption potatoes. The figures have been updated up to and including Thursday 15 October. Naturally, harvesting was also carried out in the 3 following days, which means that the final percentage is probably even higher.

Belgium and France lag behind
Significantly more has been cleared in our country than was the case in mid-October last year. At that time, more than a quarter of the potatoes belonged to the country. In Belgium and France it is the other way around. The two countries still had to harvest the lion's share at the start of this month. Belgium now stands at 2% and France at 30%. A year earlier this was 25% and 60%. The harvest is much further advanced in Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom.

In the Netherlands, the southwest continues to lag behind. While harvesters were driving further north and east, arable farmers in South Holland, Zeeland and West Brabant had to take pause. A fifth has now been dug out of the ground. A lot of work has been done in the other cultivation areas in the past week. In many places, more than half have now been cleared if we look at the situation to date.

Warm and some rain
Small local rain showers sometimes throw a spanner in the works of the harvesting work. The pace is slow on the heavier grounds. The current weather forecast is mainly for a rainy day on Wednesday, after which the light will remain changeable. The temperature will rise sharply on Wednesday and Thursday. In the south of the Netherlands up to possibly 20 degrees or more. There are no cold nights and a late start.

The expectations for our southern neighbors are comparable to the Netherlands. After this week, a dry and mild week is expected for the time being. If this remains the case, the harvest can make great leaps. Looking at the progress, it becomes clear again that the harvesting capacity is large. A lot can happen in a week by working long hours. Slightly drier weather is reported in France. An autumn storm in the Bay of Biscay causes stormy weather with a lot of wind.

Potatoes out, wheat in?
It is clearly noticeable among arable farmers that the experiences of the 2019 harvest are still very fresh in their memories. The pressure is on to get everything cleared as quickly as possible. Immediately after the harvester has left the field, tillage or sowing wheat is often started. Immediately wheat price of almost €210 - and a not very positive outlook for the potato market next season - there is a good chance that more wheat will be sown than previously planned.