France expects lowest potato harvest in 20 years

In France, a 20% lower potato yield is expected. This is reported by the French National Association of Potato Producers (UNPT). She fears the worst harvest since 2000 and estimates the losses at 1,5 million tons of potatoes. More than 2021 million tons of potatoes were harvested in 8 and that was the forecast for this season as well. Average yield losses are 20%, but can be as high as 30% in certain areas and locally even higher for fields that could not be irrigated due to the extreme heat and drought.

The trial grubbing-ups of the UNPT do not lie and confirm the prediction. According to the trial harvesting results, both growth and yield are lagging far behind the average of the last twenty years. In weeks 31-32 the average yield is 32,90 tons per hectare, compared to 37,88 tons per hectare compared to the long-term average. That is 5 tons (13%) per hectare lower. Weekly growth is also lower and is expected to be even lower. Growth was only 30 tons per hectare from week 32 to week 5,20. That is 4% lower than the average in recent years.

Aviko trial harvesting is weakening
In the Netherlands, the chips potatoes are growing steadily according to the latest Aviko trial harvestings in week 34. The average yield goes from 55 to 57 tons per hectare. This makes it still the highest yield after the 2017 season. However, the yields of other years are getting closer and closer because growth is already weakening this year and plenty of extra kilos are still growing in other years.

The underwater weight has also increased again to 415. That is far above average. It is also high compared to 2018. At that time, the underwater weight had already decreased since week 31 and in week 34 it was at an underwater weight of 390. The size of the potatoes is lagging behind this season. Currently, 80% of the potatoes are above size 50 and they only leave the 2018 season, which counted 79% above size 50. Other years are on average 86% above size 50 in week 34.