Potato growers in Northwest Europe are facing what may be their most difficult planting season in 4 years. The differences per region are sometimes large, but it is clear that planting in the EU-XNUMX and Poland is lagging behind considerably. How are things in the field in mid-May?
Comparisons with the spring of 1998, but especially with the disastrously bad spring of 1983, have often been made. Forty years ago, May delivered no less than 125 millimeters of precipitation at the KNMI in De Bilt. The counter currently stands at 55 millimeters, although local values do reach that dubious record of 1983. Large amounts of precipitation fell last week in Meeden in Groningen, but also in Brabant.
All land work has been (majorly) delayed due to the precipitation. In addition, crop development has started more slowly in many places due to relatively cool temperatures. That changed in mid-May. Crops sown and planted in early May have generally had a good start with sufficient temperature and moisture. The differences between sowing and planting dates become smaller.
Netherlands: third still to be planted
Planting work has not yet been completed in any cultivation area. Whether arable farmers can return to the land varies greatly per area, often within a province. Of course, the type of soil also plays a role. Aviko Potato calculate that almost 40% still needs to be dug up nationally. Maybe that's a bit conservative. The slow progress in Flevoland in particular is dragging the average down. In southern Flevoland - according to the figures of this potato processor - not even a quarter is in the ground. Heavy precipitation fell again last Friday, which means that it will not be possible to quickly benefit from the improved weather conditions this week.
Potato growers in South Limburg also have to do quite a bit of planting on the loess soil. More than half of the potatoes for consumption are still waiting for the planting machine. Planting started carefully again this weekend. Arable farmers on the clay in the south-west of the Netherlands also have to be patient, although driving will probably be possible in many places this week. Even on the sandy soils in the south and east, a scant third still needs to be planted. It is mainly lower plots that are not suitable.
Belgium: Wallonia in the lead
The situation in Belgium is comparable to the Netherlands. There was slightly more precipitation here in April and early May, although it is drier inland. PCA estimates that half have now been planted nationally. Aviko is a lot more conservative with only 30%. In mid-May, planting work is largely at a standstill due to precipitation. PCA is concerned about a shortage of growing days for the main harvest. The situation is comparable when the average planting date for the late varieties was May 22. The harvest time was moved to October, after which the number of harvestable days was also disappointing. Ultimately, it is summer that determines how the crops develop. Periods of extremes can only hinder the crop further.
France: heading for a potato shortage
Growers' organization UNPT is certain that France is heading for a potato shortage at the end of this processing season. Availability is tight, the processing pace is high and the new harvest arrives later. This makes it difficult to match the old and new harvest. In addition, the early varieties are likely to become available later, which also complicates the factories' planning.
A lot still needs to be done, especially in the northwest of France. This is also reflected in Aviko's figure, which estimates the planting progress at barely 50%. In the Champagne region in the east, growers have made further progress. About a third of that still needs to be planted.
Germany: Bavaria in particular is lagging behind
In Aviko's statistics, Germany is at the top with 75% planted. In Emsland this is already slightly more. According to market agency AMI, the shoe is pinching mainly in Bavaria. Rain is expected again this week, which will make it difficult for planting to progress. Planting is possible in the northwest - on the lighter soil.
The first early potatoes from Rhineland-Palatinate are no later than in other years, despite the precipitation and low temperatures. This is mainly due to the planting moment, which could take place in mid-February if the weather was nice.
Poland: legs will not start until May
From May 1, Polish arable farmers have only been able to plant plants smoothly, which is what happened. It has been quite wet, especially in the south. An exception is the northeast, where it is drier. In contrast to the northwest of Europe, a lot of precipitation is expected again this week: between 15 and 30 millimeters. The first potatoes in the country are also in the Polish prime areas. The prices for this are at a slightly higher level than where they started last year, at €2,66 per kilo compared to €2,20 last year. Polish growers are concerned about a depressed supply from Greece and Cyprus. This is certainly not the case for the old harvest, because other European countries can use every kilo of potatoes themselves.
It is inevitable that a late planting season will have an impact on the harvest. Ultimately, it is the growth months of July, August and early September that determine the extent of that impact. With sufficient moisture and moderate temperatures, crops can catch up a lot. What also plays a role is whether a later harvest time is possible without disruption. For processors the trick is to make the connection between the old and new harvest. While in the past potatoes were pulled from all corners of Europe, that is certainly not possible this year.