The Belgian Test Center for Potato Cultivation (PCA) expects the potato area in Flanders to shrink considerably this season. At the beginning of April, the organization conducted a survey among 128 potato growers about how many potatoes they are going to plant and which varieties.
The area has not yet been definitively determined for all arable farmers. PCA dares to make a conservative estimate of the potato area in 2021. According to the survey, the total area in Flanders will decrease by 10% compared to 2020. This brings the area in Flanders to 48.000 hectares. That is the smallest area in 6 years.
More early potatoes
The area of early potatoes is growing against the trend according to the survey. This season, 2,5% more early potatoes would be planted. Amora is by far the largest variety in this segment with a share of 47%. Sinora and Anosta are also popular, with a share of approximately 18% each. More than a quarter of the early varieties were planted on April 1. Mid-early and late varieties had hardly been planted.
Fontane remains a favorite
The area of (middle) late chip varieties has decreased by 11,6% compared to 2020. Fontane remains by far the most important variety for Flemish growers. This variety has a share of approximately 60%. Growers have an average of 25 hectares of Fontane. Almost 60% of Fontane is grown under contract. This is comparable to the surveys of the past 3 years. Challenger, Markies, Bintje and Innovator all have a similar share in the area, which takes up around 6 to 7,5%. A quarter of growers still choose the Bintje. The average Bintje area per grower is 8,5 hectares. Marquis and Innovator are grown by far fewer arable farmers, but the average area per company is 55 hectares. According to the PCA, the area of table potatoes in Flanders is too small to make a good area forecast.
Also shrinking in Wallonia
According to the PCA, the potato area in Wallonia is decreasing by 9,3%. Fontane is also the most important variety there with a share of 52%. The Fontane area therefore remains virtually the same as last year. The area of Innovator has shrunk considerably. The Walloons plant 29% less Innovator than in 2020. The variety remains good for 13% of the area of consumption potatoes. Challenger, Markies and Bintje each account for approximately 8,1 to 8,6% of the area. Marquis is the only variety whose acreage is growing. According to the PCA, the 5 varieties mentioned account for 91% of the Walloon potato area.