After three years of decline, the area of seed potatoes is showing a significant increase again this year, according to figures from the Dutch General Inspection Service (NAK). The area shows a net increase of almost 7%. There is also a significant increase visible for the category own use. Although an increase was already expected, this is not encouraging news for the potato market.
In total, 41.185 hectares were reported by seed potato growers for the inspection, compared to 38.503 hectares the previous growing year. This means that the figures are again above average. This number is probably definitive, because the potatoes could be entrusted to the ground early this year due to a favourable spring. In other years, the area is sometimes increased retroactively.
The largest variety by far is again Fontane with 6.047 hectares. Then comes Agria with 3.316 hectares and Spunta with 3.241 hectares. This means that the area of Agria is larger than Spunta for the second year in a row. In fourth place comes Innovator with an area of 2.215 hectares.
The area of seed potatoes that consumer growers cultivate for their own use has also increased significantly: by more than 10% to 2.138 hectares. Between 2019 and 2023, the area was constantly just under 1.500 hectares, but in the last two years this area has been on the rise. This could put pressure on the domestic demand for seed potatoes in the coming year.
More French fries varieties in the ground
With the exception of Challenger, all major French fry varieties show an increase. The area expansion of Agria is particularly striking, as it increases by no less than 15%, reaching a record high. This also applies to Innovater, which also shows a fairly strong increase with an increase of 8%. The larger area of French fry varieties is remarkable given the development of pricing on the French fry potato market. High French fry stocks in combination with a large quantity of potatoes yet to be processed (2024 harvest) are still hanging over the market. This is also putting considerable pressure on pricing, given the current market prices below €10 per 100 kilos.
Rise for Spunta
Among the overseas export varieties, the area expansion of Spunta stands out. With the exception of a slight increase in 2019, the area has shown a downward trend for years, but this year it stopped with an increase of more than 14%. With the exception of Russet Burbank, other overseas varieties are also increasing in area.