The export of seed potatoes this season up to and including February is ahead of last year. A number of African and European countries in particular have purchased considerably more seed potatoes. The export of ware potatoes contrasts sharply with this. The export is not quite so good.
A total of 491.464 tons of seed potatoes have been exported so far this season, according to figures from the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO). That is almost 25.000 tons more than last year. Exports within the EU are approximately 12.000 tons ahead of last season. Major destinations such as Belgium, France and Germany are ahead of last season. But a large part of the seed potatoes, roughly half or slightly more, still has to be exported to countries within the EU during this period. How this will proceed has become very uncertain, especially due to the war in Ukraine. Consumer growers are seeing the costs of fertilizer and crop protection rise sharply and, due to the relatively high grain prices, they feel that they really have an alternative to expensive and risky potato cultivation.
Africa has been a good market
Exports to Africa are almost at an end and several countries on this continent have imported significantly more than last year. The total so far stands at 172.988 tonnes this year compared to 124.841 tonnes in the same period last year. Algeria and Egypt in particular stand out with 40.000 and 15.000 tonnes more respectively than last year. Exports to Asia are more than 30.000 tons behind last year. Saudi Arabia purchased 9.000 tons less seed potatoes, but exports to countries such as Iraq and Israel also lagged behind.
When it comes to exporting consumption potatoes, the Netherlands will mainly rely on exports within Europe this year. The counter for Europe so far this season is 307.417 tons, of which 43.174 tons were exported in February. The seasonal total for Europe is therefore 20.000 tonnes higher than last year. Exports to Africa and America amounted to 6.995 and 4.983 tonnes respectively in February. The total export of consumption potatoes so far this season remains more than 20.000 tons behind last year. Compared to the 2019/2020 season, exports this season are even more than 100.000 behind.