The Dutch arable farmers have made major changes in their crop cultivation plans this year. For example, the acreage for seed onions is falling considerably, while many more ware potatoes have been planted. Much less carrot has also been sown. The acreage of grains such as wheat and barley has increased sharply this year.
This is apparent from the forecast of the acreage of arable crops by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This shows that the Dutch potato area has grown by 2% this year to 163.566 hectares. This growth is entirely attributable to the acreage for consumption potatoes (fries and table), the surface area of seed potatoes and starch potatoes has decreased. Growers have planted 76.863 hectares of ware potatoes this year, which is a growth of 7,7%. This means that the acreage is almost the same as in harvest year 2020. The area of seed potatoes decreased slightly by 1,1% to 43.321 hectares, but the decrease in the acreage of starch potatoes is striking. This year this is 3,9% lower at 43.382 hectares. This is considerably lower than the last two harvest years and, as can be concluded from the figures from Statistics Netherlands, is close to the 2015 harvest year.
Much less onions and carrots
The acreage of onions also shows a significant change. The total acreage on onions will decrease by no less than 7,9% this year to 36.515 hectares. In addition, the acreage for seed onions decreases sharply: by 9,3% to 27.318 hectares. The acreage for seed onions, Statistics Netherlands does not yet distinguish between types such as yellow and red, will thus reach the level of the 2020 harvest, just like with ware potatoes. Another relatively large decliner can be found in carrots. The acreage of waxed and winter carrots has been markedly downgraded by the growers this year, almost certainly fed by the poor carrot market of the 4,6 harvest. The acreage of waxed carrots decreases by 8.764% to 2021 hectares, that of winter carrots by 21,6% to 2.201 acres. The carrot acreage is thus much lower than in recent years.
Much more wheat and barley
The arable farmers have sown more wheat and barley this year. The total acreage of wheat increases by 4,5% to 124.796 hectares. The acreage of winter wheat increases by 1,85% to 108.761 hectares, more than 27% more area has been sown in spring wheat to 16.035 hectares. The acreage of barley has increased by 22% to 36.937 hectares, almost 23% higher than in 2021. In particular, the area of spring barley has increased by just under 30% to 26.352 hectares, which implies that many growers have made the choice this early spring to to sow barley.
Sugar beets and chicory
According to the CBS forecast, the sugar beet acreage has increased by 1,5% to 81.924 hectares. What is also striking is the steady decline in the acreage of chicory. According to the preliminary figures from the statistical office, the Dutch chicory area this year amounts to 3.532 hectares, a decrease of 7,7% compared to last year. In addition, the acreage of brown beans has taken a significant step back this year. In recent years there has been an increase in the acreage of brown beans, fueled by the protein transition. This year, however, the acreage will decrease by no less than 41,5% to 1.204 hectares.