As of January 31, inclusive, 460,000 tons of Dutch seed potatoes have already been sent abroad. According to the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO), this is more in the marketing season now than four years before.
Of these 460,000 tons, about 112,000 tons of seeds were sent to Asian countries. In January, about 12,000 tons were shipped this way. Iraq and Saudi Arabia, in particular, are buying much more this season than in previous years. The latter has already bought over 20,000 tons of Dutch seed potatoes, almost double the amount of the previous year. So far this season, Iraq has produced 19,000 tons.
• Read also: A smooth start to the seed potato export season
Until 31 January, Africa has purchased 188,000 tons of Dutch seed potatoes. This is 20,000 tons more than last year at the same time of measurement. Algeria is by far the largest country with 88,000 tons, followed by Egypt (44,000 tons) and Morocco (28,000 tons). Trade with Libya, Senegal, Sudan and Tunisia also increased this season, according to NAO data.
European Union
The trade in Dutch seed potatoes in the European Union (EU) is at the same level as last season and is just getting started. As of January 31, 129,000 tons went to the EU countries. So far, Belgium has won the most with 29,000 tons, followed by Spain (21,000 tons), Italy (20,000 tons) and Germany (17,000 tons).
