HZPC Holland has set a forecast price of €44 per 100 kilos of seed potatoes for the 2025 harvest year. This price is €18,32 (almost 30%) lower than the payout price, which reached a record level last year. According to HZPC, the forecast price reflects the difficult potato market.
The seed potato trading company announced the forecast price last night during a webinar for growers. The final payment price will be determined at the end of June. The forecast price represents the expected average price for all pool-grown varieties and qualities in seed potato size classes S through A (excluding VAT and before payment of the grower's license). Packaging and storage fees are calculated separately.
Global market under pressure
In a press release, CEO Hans Huistra points out the difficult market situation resulting from global acreage growth combined with excellent harvests. This is putting pressure on prices for table and French fry potatoes almost everywhere. "This is impacting the demand for seed potatoes."
By diversifying across markets and applications, the seed potato trading company is able to limit the losses for seed potato growers. Focusing on new and improved varieties plays a key role in this, Huistra emphasizes. Differentiation is crucial. According to the CEO, this should ensure stable payouts in the coming years.
According to Operations Director Peter Ton, there are significant market variations this season. "Destinations with low prices were offset by markets with higher price levels. In the French fry potato segment, the Innovator variety remained in demand. New varieties like Travolta and Quinterra also found their way to customers, despite the anticipated reduction in the area devoted to French fry potatoes." He also indicates that diversified sales from the HZPC pool proves its value in a difficult season.
Area the same, higher yields
The area of HZPC members in the Dutch pool remained the same as last year. However, thanks to a higher yield per hectare, the total volume of the seed potato pool increased by 25.000 tons.
The season is characterized by a plentiful supply of seed potatoes in Europe and lower demand in various markets. This has led to price pressure, according to Siemen van der Woude, regional manager for Benelux & Export at HZPC.
"Local consumer prices were low in several sales areas, which directly impacted the price of seed potatoes. This put pressure on exports to major countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Lebanon," he explains. These markets are still largely focused on free-variety varieties.
At the same time, exports to overseas destinations—including South Asia, Algeria, Tunisia, and West Africa—are progressing satisfactorily. Within Europe, sales are being impacted by pressure on the French fry industry, which has resulted in a smaller percentage of the available volume actually being sold as seed potatoes.