The first trial harvesting results of the main harvest 2022 will be shown in the coming weeks. From a tour of the fields it can be stated with great certainty that on average the potato fields in the EU-4 countries are in good condition.
This can also be deduced from the fact that especially the early ones (think Premiere) render above average. Looking at the mid-early varieties such as Sinora and Amora, the final hectare yield will be capped by the dry and warm weather conditions of the last few weeks.
The summer weather has also caused a strong revival of the old harvest to €20 per 100 kilos until this week for Fontane delivery week 29 (source: DCA Transaction app-list). Incidentally, transactions of €15 for Fontane (Belgium) and €19 for Agria from mechanical refrigeration have also been reported. The most current market price for early chips suitable for potatoes is €20 and appears to be tending stable to price-bearing, which in itself is an excellent starting point at the start of a new season.
Wish and reality
As mentioned, the first trial harvests of the main harvest will certainly not disappoint. After all, the first part of the growing season went well. That also explains the sluggishness of the futures market quotation of the April 2023 contract, which incidentally closed just above the €22 level on Friday 23 July with another summery weather type in the long-term forecast. The realization of hedgers is that €22 and certainly above is not a bad price level to sell, especially given the state of the main crops explains that the road to higher market prices (read: €25) is difficult. The fact is, however, that if the month of August goes dry, with the occasional burping of the temperature to thirty degrees, the growth curve will look clearly different in a good month's time, as will the price level of the April 2023 futures market listing. However, the wish is often the father of the thought and the market will not know where it stands until mid-September. Until then, it's important to use the vote!