In December, stories circulated that Belgian potato processors and traders would significantly reduce contracted volumes and fixed prices. With the contracts for the 2021 harvest on the table, those reductions appear to be relatively bad.
The largest Belgian potato processor Clarebout normally takes the lead, but this was the case this year Agristo. The potato company from Nieuwkerke has announced the prices to growers. These reflect the price movements that we also see with other processors.
Fontane remains the same
For delivery from the field for the main harvest (second half of September), Clarebout pays €10,00 per 100 kilos for Challenger and Fontane and €12,50 for Innovator. This means that the price has fallen by €1 compared to last year for the first 2 varieties and €0,50 for the last. In week 17 (end of April) the price of the first 2 will be €16,50. Innovator will stop earlier, at the end of March, with a price of €17,00. Here too, a decrease of €0,50 can be noticed, while the price for the other varieties remains unchanged.
Clarebout runs Fontane in May and switches to the Markies variety for the final delivery period. The processor will pay €20,00 for this at the end of June. That is also €0,50 lower than last year. The prices apply to 35mm upwards, with a minimum OWG of 360 and 65% coarser than 50mm. These are common conditions for Belgian customers.
Minor changes
Potato trader Vervaeke from Pittem follows the line set out by Clarebout with the contracts. Delivery of the main harvest from the field for Fontane, Challenger and Bintje amounts to €10,00 and Fontane to €11,50. In April, the company will pay €15,75 for Fontane and €17,25 for Innovator. Vervaeke does not use a price in June, but purchases potatoes on a fixed price contract until May. Fontane will then pay €17,25 and Innovator €18,75. Prices have therefore decreased minimally compared to last season. Here too, the largest reduction can be seen ex land, of €1 compared to last year.
The Belgian potato companies feel like-minded in their pricing for the new season. Remo-Frit is also using a similar strategy. The fresh chip company still holds the Bintje variety in high regard and pays €10,00 for it, delivered ex-field. At the end of April that is €16,50. It also contracts Marquis for late delivery, for €18,50 delivery at the end of June.