The seed potato sector in the Netherlands, Germany, and France is facing significant challenges due to a very moderate crop, leading to historic high prices and shifting market dynamics. In the Netherlands, where seed potato acreage has declined for the third consecutive year, the area is now less than 40,000 hectares for the first time since 2014. This reduction poses challenges for ware potato cultivation in the upcoming season, compounded by increased disease pressure.
Wouter Mutsaers, who manages seed potato transactions at Q-potato Holland, highlights the difficulty in controlling disease pressure amidst shrinking acreage. Factors such as poor tuber setting, oversized seed potatoes, and harvest issues due to heavy rain have further strained the availability of starting material for the next season, contributing to historically high prices.
The trend of declining seed potato acreage is expected to continue, although last year’s higher ware potato prices prompted some growers to partially switch crops. However, Wouter anticipates a five percent reduction in acreage for the upcoming season, driven in part by challenges in labor availability for seed potato selection during summer months.
The presence of viruses and bacteria, leading to class rejections and reductions in seed potatoes last year, has also dampened market sentiment. To mitigate such risks, there is a growing interest in virus-resistant varieties, which could reshape variety selection priorities based on cultivation and production needs.
Looking ahead, Wouter predicts that the tight seed potato market and high prices will encourage more Dutch free variety ware potato growers to take control of their seed potato production. However, challenges such as climate suitability and pest management may hinder success, particularly in export markets like North Africa and the Middle East.
The disappointing seed potato harvest is expected to drive increased processing of large-sized potatoes, potentially alleviating shortages to some extent. However, the impact on ware potato acreage remains uncertain, with discussions on seed potato needs only beginning in January. The outcome will depend on various factors, including growing conditions and yield performance in the upcoming season.
