News Potatoes
Don't look at category 1, but at the breeds
Once again, PotatoNL comes up with a large spread of potato prices in their quotations. Not so strange, given the situation in practice. "Growers would do better to look at the variety groups, which clearly indicate which price applies to which variety", explains the brand new market master Watze van der Zee.
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Choose the subscription that suits youThe category 1 and category 2 quotations are literally at the top of PotatoNL. This is also what is referred to the most by, for example, buyers of potatoes. The first quotation of the 2024/25 season had a spread of €1 per 12,50 kilos in category 100 and this has increased by €1 this week. For category 2 this was €4 and this has now increased to €7.
Agria again leader
Growers should look at the separate categories for Agria (fresh fries), Innovator (fast food) and Fontane (regular). "The spread is exceptionally large. That Innovator stands out so much is remarkable," says Van der Zee. In the second listing, Agria has taken over the baton as leader again, with a top of €37,00 (+€5). Innovator gets €2,50 more and ends up at €35.
Is it even wise to list categories 1 and 2? Van der Zee explains how this methodology came about: "Prior to one national potato listing, the stock exchange in Emmeloord had these two categories, while the Goes stock exchange had already switched to listing varieties. At the time, this was a sensitive subject and a compromise was reached by listing both. Seven years have passed since then and other people are also sitting at the table."
Too low bottom
The 'fork quotation' (lowest and highest price) will probably generate enough commentary again this week, with a bottom of €21,50 for category 1. This concerns the Fontane variety. "We only quote based on completed transactions. Early last week, potatoes were bought for this price, which is why they have now been included again", Van der Zee explains. Deviating from this is not possible. However, the market master has added a comment to the quotation that the bottom is based on the 'old' prices. These do not do the current market justice.
Despite the fact that the pickings on the free potato market are getting thinner, there are no problems in having enough transactions, according to Van der Zee. "There are various lists and sources with prices that we all have in view and use. It is therefore up to growers to communicate their sales prices as much as possible, so that they are included in the quotations."