The frost and snow of recent days do not make the remainder of the carrot harvest any easier. Quality is monitored during storage. The organic table potato market is firmly in the saddle.
The organic carrot harvest is currently at a standstill and was dominated by frost last week. The quality damage caused by frost is expected to have been limited, but the foliage may have suffered a blow in regions where there has been prolonged or harder frost. Until now, it has mainly been advised to use the top harvester to minimize the risk of damage to the carrots, but after the frost this may no longer be possible. This, together with the wetness and soil that enters the box, does not exactly ensure the label 'suitable for longer storage'. In addition, the question is whether the carrots will come out at all, because although the temperature is increasing, precipitation is also expected again.
It is difficult to say how much carrot is still on the land, according to insiders. It is clear that some of it was left on the land during the harvest and was lost. In addition, concerns about the quality in the shed persist because the carrot is difficult to dry, which does not work well everywhere.
The ample supply of carrots that were delivered immediately did not cause an oversupply in the recent period. Sales of organic carrots are making good progress and other countries are also showing interest, including France. In the longer term, the mood also sounds positive in terms of sales. The DCA indicative price for organic carrots has remained the same this week. This is mainly because hardly any transactions have been made. The DCA indicative price is €29 to €35 per 100 kilos.
Organic potato market
The predominantly positive mood on the organic table potato market continues. Sales are currently continuing reasonably well and are expected to increase further after the turn of the year. Things have been different in recent years with the export of organic potatoes, but this year there has been quite a bit of interest from a wide number of destinations. Although the growers have the majority of their potatoes in storage, the harvest, just like conventional cultivation, has not yet been fully completed. However, it concerns the last percent of the area. The DCA Indication Price for organic potatoes remains the same this week at €50 to €60 per 100 kilos.
The organic onion market is currently not producing any special volumes. It is quiet, but just like with the organic potato market, there is confidence that there will be a plus in the second half of the season among growers and sorters. This is partly due to the lower yield and quality, but also to the sales opportunities for export after the New Year. Intuitively, the market will eventually start to move a bit. The price difference between the parties remains very large and depends on the quality, size selection, but also the destination. The DCA indication price increases slightly and amounts to €47 to €55 per 100 kilos, with the comment that few transactions are made.