The forecast price for the seed potatoes of the 2020 harvest that trading company HZPC Holland expects to pay out has been set at 30 euros per 100 kilos.
This expected payout price is lower than the two previous years, but in line with the average of the past ten years. Despite the corona crisis, HZPC is not dissatisfied with the sales of seed potatoes and with the pricing.
In a press release, the international trading company reports that the corona crisis appears to have little influence on the European fresh market. There is sufficient interest in new starting material in that segment. According to HZPC, the lower forecast price can be attributed to the decline in demand from the European chips industry. It is expected that the acreage of chips potatoes in Western Europe will decrease before the 2021 harvest.
Furthermore, the Algerian government has also issued an import quota to importers of seed potatoes. It is one of the largest buyers of Dutch seed potatoes and has to deal with low gas and oil prices due to corona. With the quotation, Algeria wants to limit the outflow of hard currency. Algerian buyers now import half of the seed potatoes they normally purchase from abroad.
Satisfied given the circumstances
Martin Jansen Klomp, regional manager Benelux of HZPC, points out that the corona crisis had hardly any impact on the sales of seed potatoes last year. ‘That is different this year and is also reflected in the seed potato price. However, if we look at the price development over the past ten years and the current circumstances, we are satisfied with a forecast price of 30 euros per 100 kilos. ‘
The forecast price of HZPC is the expected price of the average of all varieties and qualities grown in a pool context in the pot sizes class S to A. The price per variety, size and quality is determined according to an agreed system, with compensation for packaging and storage. charged separately.
The system for custody fees has been adjusted from 2020. Seed potato growers are structurally paid more for the preservation and storage of seed potatoes. This depresses the current forecast price by approximately 0.25 euros per 100 kilos, HZPC reports.
