HZPC has set the forecast price for seed potatoes for the 2023 harvest year at €50,70 per 100 kilos. That is more than 35% more than was paid a year earlier and is by far the highest seed potato price the company has ever paid out. The seed potato cooperative announced this during a webinar on Monday evening, March 4. The final price will be announced at the end of June.
Despite significantly more rejection and declassification as a result of the erratic season, diseases and pressure on crop protection, the company from Joure managed to achieve a significantly higher result. Given the enormous scarcity on the seed potato market and the enormous demand, this does not come out of the blue. There is a large amount of excess size that, like some undersizes, will also be sold as seed potatoes this year.
Favorable sales position
"Despite all the challenges for the grower, the financial return has increased by 13% per hectare," says Benelux regional manager Martin Jansen Klomp. "It is essential that we charge a structurally high price to guarantee profitable cultivation." This year, HZPC expects another decrease in the seed potato area. This creates a favorable sales position for the company.
Higher price
The forecast price is the expected price of the average of all varieties and qualities class S to A that are grown in a pool context. The prices are before payment of grower's licenses. The price per variety, size and quality is determined according to the HZPC system and announced at the end of June. The forecast price of €50,70 is €14,50 more than was paid last year. The final payment price for the 2022 harvest was €37,44.