HZPC Holland has set the payment price of seed potatoes for the 2024 harvest at €62,32 per 100 kilos. That is more than 17% higher than the price for the 2023 harvest and is €0,82 above the forecast that the company gave in March. Although there is satisfaction about the season, the risks in the market remain undiminished, as was evident at the end of the season.
According to HZPC, we can speak of a particularly successful season. The final payment price is 1,3% above the previously communicated forecast and more than 17% above that of the previous year. The harvest went well on average, with many seed potatoes in the right sorting and a high sales percentage as seed potatoes. "All in all, we are very satisfied, although we remain vigilant with an eye to the future", according to HZPC.
Pricedruk on the free market
Despite the strong seasonal result and the higher seed potato price, the season ended disappointingly on the free potato markets, where prices were under considerable pressure. "The market shows that potato cultivation remains vulnerable to both weather influences and price fluctuations," says Hans Huistra, CEO of Royal HZPC Group. "These uncertainties also affect the seed potato sector. It is good that growers are now seeing a higher price in return. In order to better manage these risks, we continue to focus on a broad variety portfolio and sales to various sectors. The collaboration with growers and customers is becoming increasingly closer."
The prospects for the new season are positive for now. Growers have been able to plant their seed potatoes quickly and the crops are currently doing well. How the market will develop further remains to be seen. However, HZPC is signalling an increasing demand for seed potatoes and good performances of the new, more resilient varieties. The area has increased and that is encouraging, although HZPC states that there is always room for more.