Lowest export volume of seed potatoes in the past 5 years

The Netherlands has exported 691,000 tons of seed potatoes until the beginning of May. That is the lowest volume since the 2018-2019 export season. Then the seed potato yields were disappointing due to the drought.

Towards the end of the export season, the export volume is already 115,000 tons lower than last year. As previously shown in the export figures of the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO), the loss of exports can mainly be attributed to overseas destinations. 40,000 tons less seed potatoes were shipped to Asia. African countries have so far purchased 60,000 tons less seed potatoes.

In both Asia and Africa, exports are almost complete with 80,000 tons and almost 132,000 tons of volumes sold respectively. Asian destinations that have clearly purchased less seed potatoes are Iraq and Syria. Israel actually bought slightly more Dutch starting material.

Major customers are failing

Large buyers such as Algeria, Egypt and Morocco are failing to sell seed potatoes to Africa. At almost 24,000 tons, Egypt buys more than 20,000 tons less seed potatoes than for the 2022 harvest. Libya and Tunisia are African countries to which slightly more seed potatoes have been shipped.

Europe is keeping pace with last year in terms of export volumes. The relatively small backlog is still attributable to Belgium and Germany. Southern European countries in particular, such as Italy and Spain, have so far purchased more Dutch seed potatoes. Outside the European Union, not a kilo of seed potatoes from the 2023 harvest in Europe was sold to Russia. That was more than 4,800 tons last year.