The Potato Growers' Committee (ATC) of Aviko announced the pool price for potatoes for chips delivered from the field on Monday 9 December. Despite large daily price differences and little movement in the market, the pool can profit thanks to their pre-sales strategy. This results in a very positive result compared to the daily market.
The average payout price for the delivery period from week 33 (12 August) to 44 (31 October) this year amounts to €215,89, excluding the surcharge for late delivery from the shed. From week 45, Aviko will pay this storage fee based on a fixed scale.
Result above market
Other varieties such as Fontane and Premiere average €209,37 per tonne. For Agria and Zorba it is €239,37. Innovator averages €259,37. By selling volumes early in the season, the ATC managed to achieve results that were not possible in the day market during the harvest. There was no PotatoNL quotation, but other European prices in the off-land period usually did not exceed €125 per tonne (for Fontane) and €190 to €200 for Innovator.
"By selling early, we as a pool were able to profit from the high price levels at the harvest transition," says ATC chairman André Broeze. "These sales determined the pool prices, as did the lower average potato yields." "The decision of the pool committee to sell early in the season turned out to be the right choice," agrees Aviko director Dick Zelhorst. "At that time, there was still uncertainty in the market about the timely availability of the new harvest."
Difficult start, quick harvest
Once again, the 2024 growing season and the harvest that followed were special. In several regions, planting took place until early July. Heavy rainfall made planting and the growing season difficult. The high disease pressure also played a role. According to the processor, this leads to large yield differences between regions. Fortunately, harvesting was possible in many places on time thanks to the predominantly beautiful autumn weather.
Price overview offshore pool Aviko with pre-sale
| Week no. | Innovator | Agria/Zorba | Other breeds |
| 32 | 269,37 | 259,37 | 229,37 |
| 33 | 269,37 | 259,37 | 229,37 |
| 34 | 249,37 | 239,37 | 209,37 |
| 35 | 249,37 | 239,37 | 209,37 |
| 36 | 249,37 | 239,37 | 209,37 |
| 37-44 | 259,37 | 239,37 | 209,37 |
Source: Aviko
The last PotatoNL quotation for French fries potatoes was €60 and in the weeks before that it even reached €62,50. The sales season then went almost the same as a year earlier, with a significant price correction for the new harvest. Only Innovator was priced higher, which is reflected in the result of the pool. Last year the farm gate pool came to an average price level of €234,42 per tonne.