The seed potato area in the Netherlands has shrunk slightly this season compared to last year. This is evident from the NAK declaration figures. Contrary to the trend, the acreage of seed potatoes in the highest classes is expanding.
In total, Dutch seed potato growers have declared 41.711 hectares of seed potatoes for the field inspections in 2021. That is almost 180 hectares less than last year. The area of high-quality seed potatoes in the PB and S classes has grown by 355 and 166 hectares respectively to 12.736 and 3.238 hectares. In the SE class, 460 hectares less are indicated, the total being 10.980 hectares. In class A, the shrinkage is 91 hectares, for a total this season of 1.492 hectares.
No other varieties in the top 5
The largest variety grown is Fontane with 5.260 hectares. That is a growth of 6%, more than 300 hectares compared to 2020. Spunta is in second place with 3.798 hectares, a decrease in area of almost 500 hectares, or 11%. Most likely, this decline is related to the difficult sales conditions this season, especially in North Africa. Agria ranks third with 3 hectares, an expansion of more than 3.097 hectares compared to last year. The Innovator area remains stuck at 400, a reduction of more than 2.121 hectares. And the top 200 is completed by Arizona with 5 hectares, which has increased the area by more than 1.458 hectares.
The complete overview of the declaration is here to find.