Agrico is targeting a seed potato price that will yield between €14.000 and €16.000 per hectare this year. This yield applies to a 28-millimeter upward slope and an average Agrico yield of 44,5 tons with 15% oversize.
The cooperative announced this during the product group meetings held in recent weeks. Over the past three weeks, Agrico management has traveled the country in small groups to discuss grower matters such as the market, strategy, and other issues that concern growers.
Despite a relatively dry growing season, Agrico saw potatoes develop well in most areas. Tuber formation was significantly lower than the previous season. This resulted in above-average yields with a relatively coarse product. Yields from the 2025 harvest will be approximately 10% higher than those from 2024.
Almost everything from size 35-50 sold
The cooperative trading house reports that almost all seed potato sizes 35-50 mm have been sold. This also applies to French fry varieties. Some French fry varieties, such as Fontane, Sinora, and Agria, are still available. Agrico does not expect to be able to use all its seed potatoes for seed potatoes this year.
Due to disappointing demand in the French fry market, Agrico is seeing very little demand for early varieties. Therefore, it has decided to repurpose some of these varieties.
The cooperative also hasn't sold out of its 50-60 millimeter French fry varieties yet. Agrico has been using its own quality center for years to assess the quality and germination rate of all batches. Based on these results, the cooperative has decided to sell the lower-quality varieties for alternative markets.
Good sales to Algeria
Algeria and several other North African countries are generating good sales. Egypt is a disappointment in those regions. Seed potato growers are also seeing this reflected in the sales of varieties like Spunta, Cara, and Hermes. Very few markets generated revenue from table potatoes last year. This is clearly reflected in the lower demand for seed potatoes this season.
Cuba is out of the market due to a lack of funds, and sales to Uzbekistan are also questionable. The seed potatoes have to be shipped there by road, and it's questionable whether that's feasible due to the war in Ukraine.
Cutting into French fry varieties
To better align seed potato acreage with market demand, the cooperative will be reducing the area devoted to French fry varieties this year and in the coming years. This is inextricably linked to the fact that varieties like Fontane and Markies will be released in the foreseeable future. These varieties will be replaced by Next Generation varieties that are more resistant to phytophthora, nematode-resistant, and require less nitrogen with good yield potential.