Potato sales in Belgium are moving at a record pace this season. Despite this, stocks are larger than ever. This is evident from the stock survey conducted by the Belgian potato organizations Viaverda, Inagro, Fiwap, and Carah.
The Belgian potato organizations estimate the Belgian potato harvest this season at 5,29 million tons. This is more than 1 million tons higher than the five-year average. This is why stocks are currently larger than ever.
It is striking, however, that more potatoes were delivered before February 1st than in previous years. This is not something you would expect based on the negative market sentiment. The potato organizations note that not only were more contract potatoes delivered in combination with potatoes supplied with the market, but more potatoes were also sold freely in the period from November to February.
Until mid-November, only contract potatoes (including potatoes for delivery) could be delivered in large quantities. Sales of free-range potatoes during that period were more than a quarter lower than average. This shift is largely due to the large harvest of early potatoes, for which space had to be found.
After mid-November, sales were brisk, with more free-range potatoes delivered, particularly in Wallonia. Total sales in Belgium for February 1st are estimated at 2,01 million tons. This is the highest amount in five years, according to the potato organizations. This increase is due to more contract potatoes. Sales of free-range potatoes are at the five-year average.
The current stock is estimated at 3,28 million tons. This is significantly higher than in previous years. For the past five years, stocks have consistently been close to 2,5 million tons at the beginning of February. The amount of potatoes in storage is not significantly different from previous years. Contract potatoes are the main source of supply.
Three quarters of stocks on contract
According to the potato organizations, three-quarters of the current stocks are secured under contract. This amounts to approximately 2,41 million tons. This quantity is only slightly smaller than the normal total stocks in Belgium at the beginning of February. About two-thirds of all potatoes currently in storage are of the Fontane variety. The share of Challenger is barely 4%, while the quantities of Bintje and Innovator are even smaller.