The future of the Bintje potato as Belgium’s main variety is unsure. Belgium is still a very important market for Bintje. Although the tater’s acreage has dwindled in recent years, it nevertheless represents nearly 50% of total market share. According to Romain Cools of Belgapom, it is difficult to predict what will happen with Bintje, but he expects the breed to remain an important one among growers and traders.
Bart Nemegheer of the Aardappelhoeve and Jan van Luchene of Bruwier Potatoes give their opinion on the future of this breed.
Bart Nemegheer, de Aardappelhoeve:
“Bintje will disappear”
According to Bart Nemegheer of the Aardappelhoeve, the variety will likely vanish in the future. "Bintje is perhaps a decent potato for making fries, but it has little resistance. In the variety description, you can see that this breed is susceptible to late blight and has little to no resistance against nematodes. In the context of sustainability, it is therefore advisable to work with breeds that have high resistances, so we can reduce crop protection agents to a minimum. It's really just a matter of time before Bintje is bumped in lieu of a sturdier breed. We can see Fontane and Challenger on the horizon already.”
Bart@deaardappelhoeve.net
Jan van Luchene, Bruwier Potatoes:
“Bintje will become considerably less important”
Jan van Luchene of Bruwier Potatoes indicates that, as with any other breed, Bintje has its pros and cons. “Long shelf life, versatility in use and its good taste speaks for itself, but it also has its share of drawbacks. It is sensitive to fatigue and late blight, requires more pesticides and in regard to both the price and the environment, it’s not always the best breed. In hot dry periods, the risk of secondary growth is significantly higher than in other breeds. Due to these and other disadvantages, Bintje will become considerably less important.”
jan.vanluchene@bruwier.be