As an old Dutch saying goes: Dames naakt, handel dood, this also applies to the potato market. Growers have started their spring activities and therefore have little attention or interest in the market and the sale of their products. The market therefore feels quiet.
Both the buyers of potatoes and the growers are counting their buttons after the nosedive of the potato price and are first looking at further developments. The price is stabilizing, as Belgapom also shows by listing unchanged. It should be noted that there is indeed very little trade.
Buyers are not interested, but certainly have no interest in lower prices. In a further declining market, there is a chance that the price of fries will come under further pressure and that is not pleasant with potatoes in position that are firmly priced.
Export limited
The quiet exports do not help either. France is the largest exporting country for potatoes. Although France exported record volumes in January, growth now seems to be slowing down. Export prices fell by 7,9% compared to a year earlier. Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal and Germany were the largest buyers.
The futures market also shows stable pricing. Around €20 there is buying interest and above €23 there is supply. Here too there is hardly any turnover.
Does Spain sense something is wrong?
It remains to be seen whether the market can still get a boost from export demand from southern Europe. Persistent rain has caused serious damage in the south of Spain, especially in the Seville region. In the north, such as Castilla y León, the wet weather is hampering the planting of potatoes. The Spanish farmer's quotation rose by 13,5% to €545 per tonne. The development of potatoes in Portugal is also being slowed down by persistent rain, which could have consequences for yields.
Cards not yet shuffled
For the time being, the market in the Netherlands will at best make a sideways movement, pending further developments in the market. The decisive factor will be whether the early start of the new season continues and the early potatoes will ensure a good connection. However, nothing can be said about that yet, since in the past weather conditions such as frost have often completely turned the cards around.