The Northwest European Potato Growers Association (NEPG) expects that only limited space will be left in the EU4 countries for growing potatoes in a larger area during the coming growing season. This is so, despite the growing demand, in particular, for fried potatoes.
Die Europese Kwekersvereniging merk op dat daar min plek in Nederland en België is om meer aartappels te verbou. Aartappeluitbreiding sal veral moeilik wees as gevolg van die bykomende vergroeningsvereistes van die Nuwe Gemeenskaplike Landboubeleid en beperkings wat met die stikstofbeleid geassosieer word. Om meer diepgebraaide aartappels te produseer is slegs moontlik as stysel- en saadkwekers ’n nuwe groeiteiken kies.
In a press release on the development of potato cultivation, in particular in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France, NEPG says that, given the positive mood in the potato market, an area expansion of a few percent is usually evident. However, for potato growing areas in France and Germany, higher production of French fries must also be provided by table potato producers who are switching to other production.
Beskikbaarheid van water
For these two countries, the NEPG takes into account that not all arable areas are suitable for intensive potato production due to limited irrigation opportunities during periods of drought. In addition, for Northern Germany and some regions of France, the transport distance to the manufacturing industry in the Netherlands and Belgium is a significant disadvantage.
Die NEPG is also concerned about the decline in seed production in the EU4. The producers’ organization warns that this could create problems with the availability of good source material from spring 2024. It is expected that next season the area under seeding in these countries, as well as in Scotland and Denmark, will be reduced by 5,000 hectares. For various seed producers, growing French fries is more profitable there.
Gratis voorraad draer
Op die oomblik is daar feitlik geen gratis aartappels in Nederland nie. Die Verenigde Telers Akkerbouw (VTA) se inventaris toon dat gratis voorraad 13 persent laer is as verlede jaar en 20 persent laer as die vyf-jaar gemiddelde. Noudat verwerkers kontrakpryse vir die komende seisoen struktureel verhoog het, lyk dit of meer aartappelkwekers gereed is om hulle voor die tyd tot produksie te verbind.
Die NEPG is scornful of the high coverage of contract potatoes for french fries. The producers’ organization believes that this is ultimately detrimental to the functioning of the free potato market. Especially in years with good yields and therefore oversupply, this can have serious implications for the price formation of the potato market.
