Score table varieties in Polish Sheep Holland

Schaap Holland from Biddinghuizen has 4 different pools for consumption potatoes. These are the pool with and without presale, a bottom pool and a pool for table potatoes.

Bottom pool works out well
The average pool price of the pool with presale is €11,08 per 100 kilos. The one without pre-sale at €9,44 and the bottom pool at €11,76. The variety package consists of Agria, Innovator and Maritiema. Only the bottom pool does not have this last variety. This breed always scores the best price in the 2 other pools.

The above prices are per 100 kg for 40 mm upwards, excluding fees and excluding VAT.

The prices stated apply to 40 mm upwards delivery week 13. 0% potato tare is used for Innovator. In addition, the company pays a €1,50 surcharge for storage in boxes for the Agria pools. For Maritiema there is a PlanetProof fee of €3,00. These fees are not included in the above prices. Including all fees, Maritiema enters the presale pool at €17,25. The area of ​​Maritiema has steadily decreased in recent years and is now well in balance with demand. Both the export and retail markets were favorable to this variety last season.

Small packages
The prices of Innovator and Agria are slightly below the level of the 2019 harvest year. Then, due to the corona support, a little more was paid to all Arctic growers afterwards. The prices that Schaap Holland pays for the small package varieties are at a different level. Here too, week 13 is the benchmark, but the prices refer to the size range 40/65 mm. With Melody the maximum coarseness is 70 mm and with Aromata 80 mm. The price level ranges from €12,46 (Aromata week 43) to €18,88 (Nicola and Laudine). These are all prices including PlanetProof compensation. From January 1, crate storage will largely be used.

Pool small packaging, without pre-sale, is delivered week 13. Aromata is delivered week 43.

In addition to its own peeling company, Schaap Holland sells potatoes to retail, export markets and the French fries industry. This diversity certainly proved to be a plus last season, explains director Hans Geling. "The multiple sales channels allowed us to shift volumes. The food service channel in particular disappeared due to the corona pandemic. This was clearly noticeable at the peeling company. The chip potato market was also significantly lower for that reason. On the other hand, Retail performed well. With the small packages we have "We had a top year in terms of volume. Many additional potatoes even had to be purchased on the open market. The European export market - where Schaap is active - was very quiet, especially at the beginning of 2020. After that, it recovered."

Local product
The table potato market has received a new boost. The company is waiting to see whether the changing consumption pattern during the corona pandemic will be permanent. The desire of retailers to have Dutch potatoes on their shelves all year round has a major impact. Geling explains: "During a quarter of the year, early potatoes are purchased outside the Netherlands. This means that the old harvest must be stored for longer and that new potatoes are required earlier. Depending on the growing region, we see opportunities for our growers. Of course, this remains the case. the period in between is just as important. You cannot achieve such a change in 1 year. We are therefore focusing on the 2022 harvest year. On the one hand, by looking at bringing forward the harvest. Think of pre-germination, cultivation under fleece cloth and expansion in early cultivation areas. On the other hand, long-term storage in boxes, which is especially interesting on heavier clay soils. This is particularly challenging for germination. The requirements are high."

Because the company now imports a quarter and purchases a quarter on the open market, this potentially means 50% more Dutch volume in the table segment. A big step for the company. The majority of the volume of table potatoes are sold in packages of 1 to 5 kilos. "Not much is written about the larger bags, but in terms of volume they remain an important part of sales," says Geling. "Before the corona crisis, we saw an annual decline of 3% in this market segment. That has now stopped. What certainly also helps is structural promotion 'Power to the Pieper' from the NAO, made possible by the entire potato sector."

Exclusive breeds
During the physical growers' meeting – which was held on July 7 – Schaap gave the farmers something to think about. The variety package in small packages broadly includes Musica, Nicola, Laudine (solid) and Aromata, Melody, Valencia and Milva (crumbly). Schaap has the exclusive rights to Aromata, Laudine and Valencia. Valencia can be used as a chip potato and for sale to retail. Aromata is used in both small packaging and at the peeling company, depending on the delivery period. It runs from August to December. Geling is positive about next season. "The area has shrunk by 3% and due to the later spring, no depressing effect from the early potatoes is expected.