In Belgium, approximately 1 million tons of potatoes were delivered in the period after the harvest until 1,7 February, the PCA/Fiwap reports after a stock inventory at growers. It is striking that there are far fewer free potatoes in stock.
According to this inventory, the total potato stock amounts to 2,6 million tons at the beginning of February, more than 400.000 tons higher than the five-year average. The stock was higher in February only in the peak year in terms of harvest 2017. Due to the lower yields per hectare in harvest year 2020, most of the yield per hectare had to be used to fill the contracts.
Feeling deeper in the pouch
The share of contract potatoes still in the shed is 30% higher than the five-year average and by far the largest amount ever. The share of free potatoes in this is only 25%, lower than the five-year average. This also explains the steady mood in the market in the past period. In principle, there must be sufficient potatoes (see the figures), but the volume of the free supply is limited. A buyer with an obligation (read: a contract) who has to enter the market to buy potatoes, has to dig significantly deeper into his pocket than the various potato quotations show.
The contradiction in the market price development (basically sufficient stock according to PCA/Fiwap and yet a steady market in recent weeks) is also clearly reflected in the level of sales in recent months. Until November 15, including early potatoes, approximately 1,1 million tons deposited, which is close to the five-year average. Between November 15 and February 1, only 540.000 tons of potatoes were delivered. That is 340.000 tons below the five-year average.