Will the Innovator variety, popular in fast food, become the season's flavour-maker? It certainly seems that way. As things stand now with September approaching, in terms of growth and condition of the crop, the Innovator harvest will certainly not be bad on average. However, a top yield is not in the offing either.
From the data of the various European trial harvests, it seems that, depending on the region, a yield around or above the multi-year average will not be achieved. In addition, the desired coarseness and length for the Innovator could also become a 'thing'. For Innovator suitable for fries, up to €18 per 100 kilos ex land is paid during this period. That in itself is a considerable difference with what is quoted for Fontane in particular (€12,50 by Belgapom). For later delivery, Innovator is of course also in demand, by the way not only from the HAFPAL area (North-Western Europe), but there is also reportedly demand from Switzerland. Offer of Innovator delivery April 2025 at €30 and also a bit more, is therefore taken up without mercy.
Quality varieties make the difference
In addition to Innovator, Agria will also become a determining factor again. In proportion, the Agria area in the southwest of the Netherlands is considerable and certainly in that region the potatoes are in many cases in poor condition. From the known test harvest results, various (late planted) Agria plots are sampled at less than 30 tons per hectare. It has already been established that an average yield can never be achieved. In terms of market, Agria is already at the top of the price range. For example, up to €28,50 per 100 kilos is currently paid for the processing of fresh fries.
The conclusion is that the mood for the coming period of the bulk chip processing market is not yet great. There is sufficient supply of already committed potatoes and the extra volume that is delivered from the land. The lowest price level of €12,50 for Fontane, however, seems to have been reached now. The market is being driven during the season, as previously indicated, by varieties such as Agria and especially Innovator. It is logical that the 'bottom' of the chip potato segment must also rise. The current futures market level of just under €29 seems to be an excellent reflection of what may be possible later in the storage season in terms of price development.