The potato market will thus tend to tend in the first week of 2022, which is stated as such in the PCA/FIWAP market report of Wednesday 5 January. The quote for week 1 was €14 to €15 for Fontane and Challenger. For the otherwise less important variety Bintje, up to €16 was placed on the plate, depending on quality, size and destination.
On the first working day of the year, several customers already indicated that they wanted to buy Fontane for €14 per 100 kilos. The fact that this seems to be difficult is evident from the fact that €15 has now been paid by the same parties and that the potatoes are charged almost immediately.
In Belgium, but also in France, it cannot be said that the average potato harvest of 2021 has been disappointing. The result in terms of market price development in recent months has been satisfactory. The price level was around €13,50 per 100 kilos cast in concrete. However, the total volume of potatoes, especially in Belgium, would not be maintained due to the shrinkage of the area if the factories were able to maintain the processing pace that was observed in the previous months. It is reported that the factories in Belgium are currently continuing to operate at full capacity and it is only logical that the market price will go to a higher level. It is striking that Dutch growers from Belgium are inquiring about Fontane. Apparently the supply in our own country is no longer so plentiful. Transactions of €15,50 per 100 kilos ex-farm for delivery in mid-January are now known.
Friendlier mood
The futures market for the April 2022 contract also shows the clearly friendlier mood by rising to €5 on Wednesday, January 21. Last week the market ended the year at €20. This week's cash settlement will be above €15. The margin on the futures market with four months to go therefore amounts to approximately €6. The chance that the potato market can reach an average price level of more than €20 in the coming months does not seem that great. However, if the worldwide demand for end products continues, the cautious purchasing method, especially in Belgium, could act like a rubber band, causing the market to 'swing'.{{dataviewSnapshot(2_1641390847)}}