Seed potato sealing volume highest in years

With almost 1,4 million tonnes of certified and sealed seed potatoes in 2024, the sector is showing clear growth compared to previous seasons. This marks an increase of around 25 to 30% compared to the average of the previous five years, in which sealing fluctuated around 1,1 million tonnes.

Increased area and better quality
The increase in sealed volumes can be partly attributed to the favourable growing conditions in the Netherlands in the past season. On the other hand, there is a strong increase in the global demand for virus-free and high-quality starting material, which translates into a growing area of ​​seed potatoes that meets the inspection criteria. Recent data from the Dutch General Inspection Service (NAK) shows that the area for seed approval in 2024 has grown by approximately 6% compared to 2023. Varieties such as Fontane, Agria and Innovator take a prominent place within the approved volumes. The higher quality of the starting material, partly due to improved virus controls and stricter inspection protocols, contributes to a higher inspection acceptance and therefore more sealed batches.

Growing global demand 
Internationally, there has been a significant expansion of the potato area, especially in regions such as North Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. According to FAO statistics, the potato area in these areas has grown by an average of 3 to 5% per year over the past five years. The growth figures are particularly high in North Africa. For example, the potato area in Morocco increased by more than 2018% between 2023 and 12. This growth is accompanied by an increasing demand for virus-free, certified seed potatoes, in which the Netherlands traditionally plays a leading role. In Egypt, too, there is a strong focus on expanding potato cultivation, with local authorities aiming for an area growth of approximately 15% up to 2025.

The combination of this area growth and quality improvements is causing a strong increase in the import demand for Dutch seed potatoes, which translates into a growing export volume of approximately 10-15% per year to North Africa. In addition, the increased focus on food security and sustainable water use plays a role in the rising demand, according to insiders. Potatoes require relatively little water compared to other crops that are important for human consumption. In addition, potatoes often offer high yields per hectare, which is why countries with water restrictions and growth potential are more likely to opt for expanding potato cultivation. The combination of these factors translates into a record high volume of plumbering.