The trade in organic potatoes, onions and carrots is not yet very busy. This is partly due to moderate yields in the rather challenging growing season. Farmers' expectations are therefore high. Buyers are less certain of their business.
We are also starting this season with the DCA Indicative Prices for potatoes, onions and carrots. In organic arable farming, the share that is truly freely traded seems to be losing some of its value each season. Incidentally, this is not an exclusive trend in organic arable farming, but is more widespread in the agricultural sector.
The high phytophthora pressure from the start of the season has left its mark on the organic potato market. Some of the potatoes were roasted extremely early without any yield. Some growers have chosen to switch to conventional during the growing season under the guise of 'saving what can still be saved'. The result is that it is now difficult for traders to get their hands on organic potatoes. It is mainly the sorting companies that have entered into delivery obligations to their buyers that are now stuck with their fingers in the door. They more or less make the market. Partly because they have to in order to meet the delivery obligation and partly to stay ahead of their competitors. Growers ask €1, but for many buyers that is still a bridge too far. The DCA Indicative Price this week is €75 to €85 per 100 kilos, but with the comment 'little trade'.
No rush
The market for organic onions does show some similarities with potatoes. Due to high disease pressure, yields are generally not good. Growers logically translate that into relatively high asking prices. That could well be right, but processors are cautious about fixing anything. The DCA Indicative Price comes out at €80 to €90 per 100 kilos. Growers are not very enthusiastic about that, however, and are not in a hurry to sell.
It is still early days for the trade in organic storage carrots. The first plots can now be harvested, but some growers find it still too warm. With a view to quality, timely harvesting and not letting the carrots age too much in the field is advisable, according to an insider. "The chance of spots on the carrots later from storage increases with late harvest." The trade is still tame. There is still some supply of earlier varieties. The yields of organic carrots seem good, in contrast to potatoes and onions. The DCA Indicative Price for organic carrots starts this season at €21 to €26 per 100 kilos.