Preliminary acreage figures show that nine percent fewer potatoes were planted in Flanders this spring. That is a striking drop after last year’s historical record. The acreage also appears to be declining in the rest of northwestern Europe, with estimates suggesting a decrease of three to even five percent. The North Western European Potato Growers Group (NEPG) speaks of a historic event, after two decades of rising numbers.
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Call for less production
The potato sector has expanded enormously in recent years: records were strung together in both production and processing. However, the corona pandemic hit the sector very hard. After all, processed potato products are widely sold in the catering industry and during events, and these were completely eliminated during the crisis. Processors are still left with large stocks. That is why various parties called for production to be limited. “Since the summer we have been advising to limit the acreage and we are pleased that this has had an effect,” says NEPG.
According to initial estimates, potato acreage is declining in all four northwestern European countries, which together form the largest potato production region in Europe. For example, NEPG states that in Belgium it would be a decrease of 4.1 percent, as in France. In the Netherlands and Germany, the acreage decreased by 4.9 and 5 percent respectively. Yet NEPG is cautious and speaks in a press release of a three to five percent drop.
Acreage in Flanders is declining more sharply
These figures are based on estimates. The area figures are now known in Flanders. Although these are preliminary figures, the past has shown that they can only change very slightly. Hence, it can be assumed that the decrease in the potato area will be around nine percent, bringing the total Flemish potato area to about 50,600 hectares.
“It is striking that the area of early potatoes has even been reduced by 30 percent. This is driven by the processing industry, because early potatoes are mainly grown under contract ”, explains Guy Depraetere, potato specialist at the agricultural organization ABS, in his weekly potato chat. The decline in the late varieties is more limited and is said to be around four percent.
If the Walloon figures are in line with the neighboring countries, we could well be facing a historic area reduction in Belgium
The question that remains unanswered today is what is about to happen in Wallonia. “The Walloon figures are not yet known, but if they are in line with our neighboring countries, we could well be facing a historic area reduction in Belgium,” says Depraetere. “On the other hand, the processing companies are still expanding, although it is clear that the consequences of the corona pandemic may linger for a while.”
Cold weather slows growth
According to NEPG, planting went smoothly and in good conditions, but the persistent cold weather of this spring is delaying growth. “In the early production regions in Germany, irrigation was even used to protect the potato plants from the freezing cold. We expect the early potatoes to be at least two weeks behind. Moreover, it has been very dry in many places this spring and that can also have an impact ”, according to the organization of the Northwest European potato growers.
The current potato market is good, you can hear. “The processing industry expects the demand for potato products to pick up, both in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Because the growth of the early potatoes is lagging behind, they will not be harvested until later ”, it sounds. “And so the processing industry has to continue with the old harvest, which has been relatively well preserved due to the cold conditions.” Compared to previous years, there are also fewer stocks of free potatoes, which can mean good news for prices on the free market.
Good prices?
Guy Depraetere also expects good prices for the coming potato season. “Only a good to very good yield could still lead to a market surplus,” he says. “If we start to have a dry summer again, we are heading for a year with little surplus and good prices. So it promises to be an exciting year. ”
