The export of consumption potatoes continues to run like a train. This is mainly due to European countries. Seed potato exports are also ahead of last year.
A total of 758.443 tons of Dutch consumption potatoes have been exported this season up to and including April. That is more than 31% more than last year in April and also more than has been the case in recent years. It is mainly the European countries that are experiencing significant declines, especially our southern neighbors. They imported 383.281 tons up to and including April, which is 56% more than this time last year. Belgium therefore represents a large part of the higher export volume.
Dry summer is making itself felt
But other European countries also participate in the market more on average than in other years. The export figures confirm the meager potato harvest of last year's dry summer. For example, France is already purchasing approximately 17.000 tons more than last year, resulting in exports to the country amounting to 52.842 tons of potatoes. Countries such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, Romania and Spain are also declining significantly more than in recent years. Normally, countries such as Spain and Portugal hardly import potatoes for consumption. They now import 15.075 tons and 8.783 tons respectively. Germany is one of the few countries that imports fewer potatoes. So far, the country has purchased 52.842 tons, compared to 60.001 tons last year through April.
The export of potatoes for consumption is also continuing well outside Europe. Africa purchased a similar quantity as last year with 110.491 tons of potatoes. America imported slightly more this season at 55.668 tons than the 49.828 tons last season. Asian countries import as much as last season, with a small quantity of 2.997 tonnes.
11% higher seed potato exports
The seed potato export train has less speed, but is no less than last season. A total of 806.790 tons of seed potatoes have already crossed the border to other countries and continents, which is more than 11% more than at this time last year. Almost all continents are purchasing more seed potatoes than last season. Up to and including April, 415.289 tons were exported to European countries, almost 20.000 tons more than last season. Here too, Belgium predominates with 102.584 tons of imported seed potatoes. It is also noticeable that France is also purchasing more seed potatoes, 39.160 tons to date compared to 25.936 tons last season. Germany purchases more than 96.285 tons less at 12.000 tons.
Other European countries purchased 57.201 tons, which is almost 20.000 more than the previous two seasons. Turkey, which purchased 23.089 tons of seed potatoes this year, stands out. That's almost double the normal amount. Asia also has a share in the increase in seed potato exports. 120.264 tons went to Asian countries, also more than in other years. Iraq and Saudi Arabia purchased larger volumes than normal. Seed potato exports to Africa have been over for some time, but they once again purchased a record volume of 191.714 tons. Exports to America increased slightly to 22.332 tons.