The seed potato harvest is slowly starting. Due to the rather cold growing season, harvesting starts a few weeks later than we were used to in recent years. But the first plots have now been cleared.
It is still early days and insiders are keeping a close eye on things, but based on the trial harvests and the first harvest results, yields appear to be having difficulty reaching the multi-year average. There are major differences between the different varieties and regions, both in terms of yield and quantity/sorting. Some sources say it is striking that there are no major differences between the potatoes planted in April or early June. The seed potatoes probably did little in the cold month of May.
Little virus, but extreme phytophthora pressure
The relatively cold spring and summer have been favorable for lice pressure. This is also reflected in the field inspection figures of the NAK. In the last interim score of week 31, mosaic was a reason for reduction in 19% of cases, compared to 54% last year.
The phytophthora pressure, on the other hand, was very high. Growers have had the greatest difficulty keeping the crop free from potato blight. At a glance, that turned out quite well. It remains to be seen whether there will be few problems with tuberous phytophthora after harvesting, there are still some doubts about that. Surprises can arise, especially in parts of the plot where the disease pressure is higher due to, for example, a windbreak or hedge.
It is also early for statements about the sales of seed potatoes. The mood is a lot better than last year. The fries potatoes are not yet achieving world prices, but after 2 very bad years things are certainly going a lot better. This is a favorable omen for seed potato sales, after the significant area shrinkage in chip potatoes last year.
Expensive transport is a major hurdle
The expensive containers are a major hurdle for (distant) exports. A container to Bangladesh or Pakistan has become approximately 3 times more expensive compared to last year. Some insiders think that it will be difficult to pass on a price increase for seed potatoes to buyers in addition to the significantly more expensive costs for transport. Especially because the marketing of potatoes for consumption was difficult in various regions last season.