54 tons yield difference between plots at VTA

Average yield across all varieties is 31,42 tonnes per hectare during the first sampling moment in August. These samples are taken by VTA members, spread across the Netherlands. The organisation has been doing this since 2001. The net yield (after 20% deduction) is 6,6% higher than last year, but is a fifth less than the five-year average.

Heterogeneous
VTA itself places the disclaimer that the figures are less reliable this year. This has everything to do with the described situation of flooded plots, replanting and plant failure. You can see the impact on the spread between plots, which is simply enormous. There are also crops that are already well on their way out, while the late-planted crops are sometimes still very vital. The quality is therefore very heterogeneous, which according to VTA will influence the market this season. This also applies to the yield.

The number of tubers is considerably higher this year. Something that potato growers often see in practice this season. The multi-year average for Agria is 135 tubers, this year it is 169. The average for all varieties is 167 compared to 164 on average and 138 last year. The sorting shows that the potatoes were considerably less coarse than usual last month.

racial differences
Innovator showed the highest yield in August of over 37 tonnes per hectare. That is slightly more than the 34,6 tonnes of last year, but 10,6% less than the five-year average (41,5 tonnes). Not so strange since it is a relatively early variety that is on the decline sooner than, for example, Fontane or Markies. Those two come in the sample at 34,9 and 23,3 tonnes per hectare. That is respectively 12,2% and 37,5% less than the average. Agria still has a lot to make up for with 20,8 tonnes. The yield is almost half lower than what is usual.

This month, the VTA members are again carrying out a trial harvest.