The coming winter affects arable markets

The last estimate van Aviko Potato of the potato area still to be grubbed in the Netherlands, this amounted to 22% on November 5. This amounts to approximately 2.800 hectares. After a wet last week of November, little has changed.

Remaining potato area
In North Holland, most potatoes still have to be harvested. It concerns approximately 800 hectares. Flevoland follows, with 2% to 3% still to be cleared (about 200 hectares). In the other provinces the potato harvest is almost complete, except for a few corners. For example in the southwest, where harvesting is simply not possible on the heavy clay soil. Also, not all onions are from the land, although this does not concern hundreds of hectares.

At the end of November, an estimated 1.400 hectares still had to be cleared in Belgium. The situation is therefore comparable to the Netherlands. There were still potatoes in the ground, especially in Flanders (1.000 hectares). There too, not all harvesters can get into the shed cleanly and it is constantly wet. Not all potatoes are out of the ground in Northern France either.

Situation England
The United Kingdom remains an exception to the rule, with a lot of work to be done. This mainly concerns fries and potato chips. The growers are still trying to get hectares out of the ground, although this is extremely difficult. These potatoes must be processed almost immediately because they are not suitable for storage. In addition, the country is once again experiencing local flooding. Night frost also makes harvesting more difficult.

It's not just a battle for potatoes. British arable farmers are at a loss because a lot of wheat and barley still needs to be sown. It is estimated that the area of ​​winter wheat will decrease by 10% to 20%, which will be replaced by summer grains.

Corn harvest delayed
In France, 80% of the wheat is in the ground, which means that sowing is 1 week behind the multi-year average. Here too it is a fact that the area of ​​winter wheat is considerably lower. In October and November, 70% more precipitation fell than average and in the United Kingdom this was even 143%. The rainy weather also makes the harvest of grain maize more difficult. The quality of this is now declining in many places.

Dutch arable farmers do not yet have all the wheat in the ground. Where the harvest was late (on the clay), a lot of work still needs to be done and sown. In Germany, growers have not had to deal with these problems. Only where there are sugar beets does wheat still need to be sown. Further east, in Poland, it is even a bit too dry. Due to warm weather in October and November, grain crops are now well developed.

winter weather
In Poland, the mercury has dropped several degrees below 0 in recent days. This will also be the case in the coming week, especially at night. The weather is dry this week in Europe. In the south of Germany and the Ardennes, 2 to 3 centimeters of snow fell this weekend. Really severe winter weather is not expected, with only some night frost. This is not a disaster for the beet harvest, although heaps do have to be covered locally.

Wheat sensitive
Arable farmers, especially in France and the United Kingdom, have concerns about the grain crops that have been sown. The situation is variable due to a lot of precipitation. If severe winter weather occurs, the wheat plots are extremely sensitive. That drives up the wheat market. Sellers are cautious with this situation in mind.

If we look at the long-term weather forecasts, we are currently reporting changeable weather with regular showers. There is a little bit of frost, especially at night. During the day the temperatures are a few degrees above 0. Until Christmas there is talk of mild and wet weather.

Severe frost?
The meteorological winter (December 1) has now started. Some meteorologists venture into making a long-term forecast. For example, weatherman Piet Paulusma talks about a fair amount of snow and 1 or 2 longer periods of severe cold. However, it starts messily, with bad weather.