Appearances are deceiving in seed potato export figures

A total of 30 tonnes of seed potatoes were exported to Europe up to and including April 407.812, compared to 415.289 tonnes last season in the same period, or just under 2% less. The NAO figures show that exports to Southern European countries started early this season and on average they decreased slightly more than last year. For example, Spain purchased 45.000% more with 12 tons and Italy received 13% more volume. Volume yes, because this year's coarser size sorting will probably influence export figures to some extent. After all, it's about tons and not potatoes. Especially when you consider that the comparison is now being made with last year (harvest 2022), when a record amount of seed potatoes was exported.

Belgium and Germany are lagging behind
Western European countries are purchasing somewhat less (so far) than last season. Belgium purchased 95.000% less at 7 tons and Germany is also lagging behind by 6%, while France also purchased 4% less. Quite a bit of volume can still be added in the month of May, especially considering the late potato planting in Western Europe, which meant that buyers were sometimes in no hurry to purchase potatoes. This applies in some cases to Belgium and Germany. Furthermore, there are few notable exports to Europe, except for Austria, which purchased 2.749 tons or 49% less.

According to the NAO, approximately 50.000 tons were exported to countries surrounding Europe but not belonging to Europe. Last year that was 57.000. This includes countries such as Turkey, Ukraine and Moldova. It is striking that Russia purchased nothing this year and almost 5.000 tons last year. At 22.000, Turkey purchased approximately the same amount as a year earlier. 

Total seed potato exports are lagging behind
In contrast to that to Europe, total seed potato exports are significantly behind compared to last season. This can be explained by far below average exports to Africa and Asia. Africa purchased more than 60.000 tons less seed potatoes, leaving the continent stuck at 131.000 tons. Asia also purchased significantly less with 80.000 tons, while last season the counter was 120.000 tons. Together this amounts to 100.000 fewer tonnes.

{{dataviewSnapshot(48_1716814906)}}