In the south of the Netherlands, the NAK inspection service is downgrading more than 40% of seed potatoes. Last year, the south actually compared favorably to the rest of the Netherlands.
The differences in class reductions compared to last year are significant. This year, the national class reduction rate is approximately 37% to 38%. That's significantly higher than the 22% reduction last year.
In 2024, conditions in the southern region were favorable, resulting in a reduction of just 12%. This summer, the opposite was true in terms of virus spread, and as a result, the reduction rate has now shot up to around 42%.
In the north and center of the country, the reduction rate fluctuates between 32% and 37%. More virus was also found in these seed potatoes than last year, when reductions were limited to around 19% to 27%.
Follow-up check is on schedule
About three-quarters of the samples have now been submitted for follow-up testing for viruses. The results of about two-thirds of these have been released. Approximately 3.000 samples are processed each week, and the NAK ultimately expects to test around 34.000 samples.
Meanwhile, second and third assessments are also being conducted. According to the inspection service, more samples are being submitted for second or third assessments this year. The fact that there are more reductions this year than last also plays a role.