Flemish potato cultivation focuses on seed potatoes

The Flemish Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has a first analysis of the crop areas for 2017 known created. The potato area is growing as expected. Among arable crops, sugar beets have the highest figures.

The Ministry of Agriculture relies on data released when completing the single application for the CAP. This information can still be changed until May 31. The areas are therefore not yet definitive.

More potatoes
The NEPG already released an expected area increase of 5,4 percent for ware potatoes throughout Belgium. For Flanders alone, the Department records a provisional growth of almost 4 percent. This increases the acreage by approximately 2.000 hectares to 53.260 hectares. The growth in the acreage for seed potatoes is more than 10 percent, to an acreage of 1.400 hectares. That is a plus of 130 hectares. A possible consequence of the seed potato scarcity this season? It is plausible that more land is available in Wallonia for an expansion of potato cultivation, so that the 5,4 percent of the NEPG looks realistic.

Extracting sugar beets from grain
The largest growth in acreage has been allocated to sugar beets, namely 11 percent. Flemish farmers are growing 2.000 hectares more beet this season. It is immediately noticeable which crops are falling short as a result. The shrinkage in cereal crops is also 11 percent. The wheat acreage also decreases by 11 percent .

That of spring wheat falls by no less than 30 percent. This is probably due to the fact that winter wheat could be sown under good conditions last autumn. After the wet autumn of 2015, more spring wheat was sown, although we are talking about less than 1.000 hectares. Summer barley loses 20 percent and winter barley 13 percent. While chicory processor Sensus is limiting the acreage in the Netherlands, it is increasing by 9 percent in our southern neighbors.

What is the proportion of onions?
Vegetable cultivation in Flanders will increase by 5 percent this year. In percentage terms, Brussels sprouts are the largest grower. More peas, cauliflower and leeks are also grown. Green beans are down 13 percent. The other item rose 10 percent. This also includes onions. Is the growth of 1.265 hectares largely allocated to this crop?

Niels van der Boom

Niels van der Boom is a senior market specialist for arable crops at DCA Market Intelligence. He mainly makes analyses and market updates about the potato market. In columns he shares his sharp view on the arable sector and technology.

n.vanderboom@boerenbusiness. Nl

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