Carrot area is shrinking
Sugar beet largest growth crop for arable farmers
Arable farmers started sowing again this week on the clay soil and in the southeast of the country. At least where circumstances permit. This spring, clearly more beets will be sown. This is due to the expansion of the LLBs. Opinions on the onion area are divided, carrots are expected to shrink slightly.
Crop advisors agree that (considerably) more sugar beet is sown in all regions. This is usually at the expense of winter wheat and summer grain. Thus, it is observed in different regions. Sowing is now in full swing in the southwest of the country. In the middle of the Netherlands, the soil is far from being capable everywhere. That is the legacy of the very wet February. The month of March also started with a lot of rain.
Peen acreage is declining
High-yielding crops are not cut. Peen is an exception to this. Both in Flevoland and the southwestern part of the country, sentiment indicating a slight decline in the acreage of B carrots and winter carrots is observed. Fewer contracts are being issued in the southwest. That should cause a drop in the surface. This is largely due to the disappointing financial result of the cultivation.
Specialist crops, such as fiber flax or celeriac, remain stable. In the southwest of the Netherlands, they are even able to expand slightly in the southwest of the Netherlands. There is no arguing about potatoes. This crop is stable in terms of surface area on the clay soils. If a grower decides to cut back, or to stop altogether, there is sufficient enthusiasm from colleagues to rent the land for potato cultivation. It is unclear whether more land will be released from livestock farming due to shrinking farms or shutdowns. Opinions are still divided on that.
Onion cultivation stable
It is clearly noticeable that the onion cultivation in the traditional cultivation areas is at its maximum. The forecasts for the southwest of the country and for Flevoland are stable. No reduction, but certainly no growth either. This should mainly come from the 'new' regions in the northeast and southeast of our country.
On average, onion growers in the growing regions have had an excellent season. In the Veenkoloniën, East Brabant and North Limburg, many onions are sold overseas or sold before Christmas. It was precisely during that period that a positive balance could be made. This gives growers courage to persevere and expand. Insiders agree. A plus in these areas could further increase the rural area.
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Niels van der Boom
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