Contrary to earlier reports, the area of consumption potatoes in France is increasing slightly this year. This is reported by the country's Ministry of Agriculture. This increase is not much. This movement is at odds with the sentiment in the sector, which was expecting another significant increase.
In mid-April, the French Ministry of Agriculture Agreste came out with the remarkable message that the consumption potato area would decrease by 1,4% for this year. This is exceptional, since growth has been piled on growth in recent years. Not least because of the unceasing need for potatoes from French and Belgian factories.
1.000 hectares of growth
Now that the majority of the spring crops are in the ground, Agreste is taking stock again and there is a small plus for potatoes. The most recent area figure is 172.000 hectares, which is 1.000 hectares more than what the ministry estimated last year. Incidentally, Boerenbusiness for 2024 with 178.000 hectares. The question is what the potato sector itself will come up with.
If Agreste's figure is correct, it is still the second largest area ever in France and almost 9% more than the five-year average. The area of starch potatoes is estimated to grow by 1,2% to over 11.000 hectares. That is still more than 40% less than the five-year average.
Counter-current movement
Even a small plus for France is still remarkable. Insiders assumed a considerable area growth in the country, of around 5%. It is clear that contracts were cut this spring. Both potato processors and traders did so. One conclusion could be that growers did not choose to just plant potatoes in the ground on spec. After all, the seed potatoes were available. That image is correct for the average French grower, who prefers fixed sales in the form of a contract or pool.
The French movement is an interesting one; does this mean that the soup in the EU-4 is not eaten as hot? Growth was also assumed for the other countries and Belgian figures also hinted at this. But how are Germany and the Netherlands moving? German growers had good cards for an area expansion. With that, the area in the EU-4 can now take a standstill after stormy growth, which is in line with the current situation in the sales market for fries.
That potato sales are also slow in France was already clear and reflected in the stock figures. According to UNPT, 1 million tons of potatoes were still in storage on February 3,249, which was 500.000 tons more than a year earlier. Of that, 90% was under contract. This also applies to Germany, where on the reference date of May 1, considerably more (French fry) potatoes were in stock.
More wheat
The French area figures clearly show that the conditions for autumn sowing of cereals were significantly more favourable compared to autumn 2023. The area of winter wheat has grown by almost 10%. In total, wheat accounts for 4,59 million hectares, which is 9% more than last year. The area of barley shrank by 7,3%, mainly because less spring barley was sown. The area of grain maize is also shrinking according to Agreste, by 7,6%, to 1,47 million hectares. In total, 8,71 million hectares of cereals will be sown this year, which is 2,1% more than last year, but 2,4% less than the five-year average.
The area of oilseeds is under pressure for French farmers. Rapeseed shrinks by 2,3% and sunflowers by almost 11%. Soybeans are also grown less. The area of protein crops remains almost stable. Especially because more beans and peas have been sown.