Potato harvest starts quietly, quality great care

Last weekend, between 20 and 40 millimeters of precipitation fell in most parts of the Netherlands. The coastal areas in particular received a significant amount of rain. Because the conditions were often very dry and because the rain fell quietly, this did not cause any problems. Only in the southeast and south of Limburg hardly any rain fell. Most of the harvesting of the main harvest has yet to begin there. Arable farmers are still processing the last onions.

10% cleared
Aviko Potato calculate in its first harvesting progress for this season (week 39 to Friday) that 10% of the total area has now been harvested. Especially in North Holland, farmers have already harvested a large part of the harvest. This is an area in the Netherlands that often suffers in terms of precipitation. Early the country is empty, is the motto here. In the east and south the main harvest has yet to begin at all. Little has been cleared in Flevoland either. In the southwest, more than 10% is estimated.

It is mainly the quality that is causing concern. And not only in our country. There are significant quality issues throughout the EU-4 + Poland. Whether it concerns rotten tubers due to phytophthora, hollow hearts, rot or feeding damage. All possible problems are reported. These problems are also very breed-dependent. Fontane and Agria in particular stand out because of the high percentage of hollow or tubers with a 'cross' visible in the flesh. Up to a quarter or more of the party has been plagued by this. It is visible in both large and small gradings. A breed that is cycling relatively well this season is Challenger. Precisely a potato that has been disappointing in recent years. Things are different for Innovator. This variety is (again) disappointing for most companies, although there are noticeable differences between plots.

Belgium: precipitation in the west
The main harvest has yet to almost fully begin in our southern neighbors. Potato growers are still busy delivering from the field. In most places it was far too dry to harvest in September and irrigation is usually not an option. The center and west had significant rain last weekend. Between 25 and 40 millimeters. This means that harvesting can start in many places, although we have to wait for the rain next Wednesday.

The problems with hollow hearts are also the biggest concern in Belgium. Especially with the Fontane breed. However, processors are not reluctant to purchase these batches as well. It is now clear that the 2021 potato harvest will only turn out very poorly. Combined with increased processing and record-breaking chip exports, factories need every potato they can get their hands on.

France: Harvesting progress is increasing
Further south, potato growers already have more crops growing. Just under 15%, reports Aviko Potato. Yet drought also plays a role here, although precipitation has fallen. Northern France - the largest growing area for French fries potatoes - has yet to properly start the harvest. This was also clear to those who watched the mud-covered cycling classic Paris-Roubaix on Sunday. The same sounds come from France regarding quality. Yields are simply disappointing due to a lack of subsequent growth.

Germany: storage harvest in full swing
Potato growers in Germany have accelerated in recent weeks. According to Aviko, 30% has already been cleared and stored or delivered from the field. A lot of work has already been done on the sandy soils in Lower Saxony. Arable farmers in Bavaria have had to wait for rain and have now received it. This allows the harvesting to start quickly. The quality problems are comparable to those elsewhere in the EU-4. Eating damage is a particular problem, but also green tubers as a result of excessive precipitation.

Poland: harvest has two faces
The potato harvest in Poland is a special one and one with two faces. It is very dry in the north, which means yields are very disappointing. Growers report even worse than in 2018. This is disastrous news for both chip potatoes and the seed potato sector, which is clustered almost entirely along the Baltic Sea coast. Excessive precipitation has fallen in the south this summer. There are therefore major quality problems. Rotten potatoes due to precipitation and phytophthora, for example, but you will encounter everything. Insiders are anxiously awaiting the storage season. Many companies have now sown rapeseed or wheat on plots where potatoes should be grown next year. A combination of low yields, poor quality and persistently low contract prices convinced them.

United Kingdom: no staffing problem
For the sake of completeness, we also mention harvest progress in the United Kingdom in this overview. Of all the major European potato countries, this country has made the furthest progress with the potato harvest. Plenty of irrigation is therefore used when necessary for harvesting. Prices are especially good for table potatoes, depending on the variety. The area and yield are smaller. The personnel problem - which also affects the agricultural sector - does not directly affect the potato sector. There are reportedly no problems with truck transport. It is difficult for companies to find staff, but that problem has been happening all year round.

After Wednesday, the precipitation will disappear in Western Europe and stable and cool weather will return. At night the temperatures remain favorable for the harvest and it does not get really cold. Ideal harvest conditions. If it remains dry, the soil can dry out too quickly and make harvesting more difficult. Especially in areas where not enough precipitation fell last week. It is estimated that the European potato harvest is progressing smoothly, but it is mainly the quality issues that worry growers. It will be an exciting storage season and one with sky-high energy prices that will further increase costs - in combination with expensive germination inhibitors. Potato growers doubt the effectiveness of their MH spraying, which means we are looking forward to exciting months.