'We must cherish potato cultivation in the Netherlands'

This was said by Dick Hylkema, chairman of the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO) on Wednesday (21 August) at the opening of the Potato Demonstration Day in Westmaas. "Our ports, Schiphol, AMSL are all in the picture as national pride. We must also work to ensure that the Netherlands is proud of a billion-dollar branch such as our potato sector." Hylkema sees it as a collective task for all parties in the potato chain to work on this. "The maintenance of potato cultivation in the Netherlands is by no means self-evident. We must cherish it. It is true that growth is taking place outside the Netherlands. That is not a problem, as long as we maintain our role as the Netherlands."

Bearing crop for arable farming
Hylkema points out the role of potato cultivation as a 'supporting crop' for arable farming. On average, an arable farmer gets about 40% of his income from potato cultivation. The potato is the third largest food crop in the world after wheat and rice. "An unprecedented position; the potato is an extremely successful product. With growth potential, because the potato requires relatively little water and nutrition." Finally, Hylkema emphasizes the unique potato cluster in the Netherlands. "Everything is available here, from breeding, cultivation, trade, processing and everything surrounding it: knowledge institutions, inspection services and government organizations such as the NVWA. We don't see that anywhere else in the world. We really need to communicate that better."

Potato cultivation in the Netherlands is under pressure in terms of size. In terms of area, structural growth is no longer possible, because cultivation is reaching its limits. In any case, this could be concluded from a seminar on the future of cultivation in our country. The pressure on space is enormous, said Tineke de Vries, chairman of LTO Akkerbouw. "If you see what is happening in the Netherlands and how many claims are being made on agricultural land, just think of housing construction or nature, that is enormous." Alex Datema, Food & Agri Director of Rabobank Netherlands, also expects a decline 'because there is no space for it'. "The question is whether that is a bad thing. Is it about the quantity or about the quality of the cultivation and the sustainability for the future. I think the latter."

Constructive partner of society
According to Datema, the best scenario for the Dutch potato chain is a sustainable method of cultivation with high production and low environmental pressure. "Then you have future prospects." Hans Langereis, purchasing director of raw materials at McCain in the Netherlands and Germany, shares this view. "Nowadays, a lot of people are watching: governments, citizens, environmental organizations, water boards and there are the challenges in nitrogen, fertilizer, nature, climate and crop protection. As a sector, we must act well in this together and be seen as a constructive partner. We must the battle, also in the field of sustainability."

Although the area of ​​chip potatoes in Belgium and especially France is growing, McCain has great confidence in potato cultivation in the Netherlands, according to Langereis. "There is simply very good growth in chip consumption at home and abroad. The processing industry is investing in expanding capacity. As McCain, we also invest in our production locations in the Netherlands. Space is a challenge, but we continue to talk to growers about grow more potatoes or strive together for higher yields per hectare." According to Langereis, this confidence and the need to allow raw material production to grow along with processing capacity has partly translated into higher contract prices. "The contract price for delivery of potatoes in April 2025 is 50% higher than that of April 2023. The costs have also increased, but less than the contract price. That says something."