The representatives of various seed potato trading houses are very pleased with the interest in Dutch seed potatoes this season. There is currently a healthy interest, especially from the countries in North Africa. Despite this, the plombering has so far lagged far behind compared to last year.
Moderately optimistic is the best way to describe the mood in the seed potato sector. It is still early in the export season, but trade is picking up. There is plenty of information about seed potatoes and that also leads to trade.
The yield of the seed in the Netherlands was variable with significant differences between the different regions and varieties. Overall yields appear to be roughly or slightly below the multi-year average according to several traders. On the other hand, the quality is good. According to insiders, relatively few seed potatoes are rejected during the subsequent inspection.
Plombering is lagging behind
The good question is not yet reflected in the plumbering. This season, until November 1, 78.628 tons have been sealed against 94.961 tons last year. The fact that the plumber is lagging behind last year is not something we should worry about according to most traders. "Last year Bangladesh and the early regions in Pakistan bought a relatively large amount of seed potatoes," said Gerard Backx, director of HZPC. "This year, the export to those destinations is more around the multi-year average. The later harvest of the seed also plays a role. Growers therefore started sorting later."
According to various traders, the high transport rates form an additional obstacle for exports to destinations in Asia. Transport determines an important part of the price and if the potato price was moderate last year, local growers will think twice whether they can afford the more expensive starting material.
Trade is underway
North Africa is doing well on the market this year. Prices for ware potatoes were good in various countries and that is noticeable, according to various traders. Last year, for example, Algeria instituted an import quota to limit hard currency outflows. Such measures do not appear to be on the agenda this year. "That is a wave that we see more often," says Wouter Mutsaers of Q-Potato. "Countries no longer want to be dependent on foreign seed potatoes and try to grow them themselves. In practice, this turns out to be disappointing and over time, the yields of the potatoes fall and consumer prices rise. To turn that tide, people are going to go again. switch to good foreign seed."
Opinions are divided about how the export to Southern Europe will proceed. There is quite a lot of information about availability and prices, the traders agree on that. Whether or not they actually buy it remains to be seen. One group sees good prospects for the French fries market and thinks so, the other is looking at corona and tourism and has yet to see it. However, most traders indicate, it is still much too early to make reliable statements about developments in the European market.