The stable, dry weather has ensured that most potatoes are planted at the beginning of May. This dry weather is a problem for milling the ridges. Growers are forced to reach for the irrigation reel to keep moisture in the back.
Until last Friday (May 6), 95% of consumption potatoes in the Netherlands were in the ground, Aviko Potato estimates in their most recent estimate. This means that planting is approximately the same as in previous years. The difference is mainly in the Northern Netherlands. That's where most of the potatoes are now in the ground. Last year, precipitation threw a spanner in the works.
Irrigation before tilling
The container of water – between 40 and 60 millimeters – that last year fell is probably more than welcome now. Especially in Flevoland, many arable farmers are irrigating before they start the final ridge development. Seed potato growers see the benefits of this. Keeping moisture in the tuber will hopefully promote setting and ultimately grading and yield. An expensive job at these fuel prices, but necessary, or so it is thought. Moreover, the ridges do not collapse immediately.
The figures from Aviko Potato show that in the Northern Netherlands about 10% still had to be planted before last weekend. That is not surprising, because planting always starts a little later here than elsewhere in the Netherlands. Not everything has been planted yet in North Holland and South Limburg either.
Europe's legs ready quickly
In the EU-5, arable farmers have almost all finished planting. Also in Belgium and France, where planting also starts later in the spring. Stable spring weather has made easy planning possible. Drought is also now an issue in Northern France. The French government calls a number of northern French departments where there is a 'worrying drought'. It frees up millions to support water boards and farmers who want to invest in irrigation.
Many ware potatoes are grown in the departments of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Grande-Est. But the impact is not yet being felt in full force. The temperature will rise considerably in the medium term, especially in France, but most of the main harvest has not yet reached the top. However, a lack of moisture can hinder initial development. Significant rain is not in the current expectation in the long term.
Temperature sufficient
This means that the situation in this part of Europe is actually not much different than one year ago. Even then there was hardly any precipitation and potato growers were concerned. One difference with May 2021 is that temperatures are now at a higher level. Rain finally fell on time and the yield was average.
With planting in the final phase, a careful judgment can also be made about the area. The voices about this in the EU-4 became somewhat 'friendlier' as the planting progressed; in the sense that the shrinkage may be smaller than previously thought. Insiders are based on a late demand for seed potatoes, particularly from Belgium. For example, PCA previously reported that the area in Flanders is growing by several percent, while at the beginning of this year it was still expected to shrink significantly.
Area is declining less rapidly?
It is difficult to make firm statements. For example, many seed potato lots turned out coarser, which required more seed potatoes, and trading houses were quick to get rid of lots that were considered unnecessary. These went into the digester or were removed for starch processing, for example. In mid-April we still assumed a maximum of 5% Daling in Northwestern Europe. At the beginning of May, percentages of 2% to 3% are mentioned. It is clear that growers in Germany and France prefer French fries, at the expense of table potatoes.