The export of Dutch seed potatoes to other EU countries is 15% ahead of last season. This is evident from figures from the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO). Overall, seed potato exports are actually 12,5% behind last year. Asian and African destinations actually purchase significantly less seed potatoes.
It is possible that due to the shortage of seed potatoes, buyers are trying to get their tons home as quickly as possible and are therefore pulling harder on the product. It is mainly the Southern European destinations that already have more tons at home than was the case a year ago. Exports to France are 5.853 tons ahead of 2023. To Italy this is even almost 8.700 tons. It is Spain that is number 1. The country purchased over 10.000 tons more seed potatoes from the Netherlands. That is 37% more than in 2023.
Export is 15,5% ahead
In addition to France, Germany also purchased more seed potatoes. Exports are 15% ahead of last season. 13% less seed potatoes were delivered to Belgium this season. Outside the EU, Turkey and the United Kingdom have purchased more starting material, resulting in the export total up to March 1 being 15,5% ahead of last year.
Outside Europe, Asia and Africa are both significantly lower in terms of exported volume. America is about the same as a year earlier. Of the Asian countries, it is mainly Syria that has purchased much fewer potatoes. 3.600 tons compared to more than 14.000 last year. Of the African destinations, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco purchased fewer potatoes, meaning the total volume is now 60.000 tons lower.
Percentages almost the same
A year ago, 62% of the total volume had been exported until March 1. Statistics Netherlands assumes 14% fewer seed potatoes this year. If we extend this to the current season, we arrive at 63,5% of the total volume that has already been exported. Despite a larger decrease from Europe, the lead is not too bad, which is mainly due to Asian and African countries.
The season will tell how the 2024 seed potato harvest will turn out. In terms of area, the NAK inspection service expects another decline. The service already communicated this at the beginning of this year during winter meetings, but it is also described in the recently published annual report. NAK assumes a decrease of 7%, bringing the area to 36.000 hectares. Last year, 38.776 were submitted for inspection. The NAK assumes that the quantity of seed potatoes to be certified will remain the same, at 1,075 million tons.
Consumption exports down sharply
The NAO has also published export figures for ware potatoes until March 1. Here too the surprise comes from the African corner. Only 5.000 tons went that way, compared to 63.000 tons last year. A difference of 92%. The export of potatoes to Senegal has remained at zero. That to Ivory Coast and Mauritania is considerably less.
Exports to European countries are virtually the same as the previous season. Belgium, Germany and France all bought more potatoes from the Netherlands. Italy and Spain less so. Total exports stood at 1 tons on March 535.69. That is 6% less than was the case a year earlier.