Last week, the British Potato Council, in conjunction with the NEPG (North Western European Potato Growers), organized a four-day study trip for British potato growers. The purpose was to compare the procedure and cost price among the 5 NEPG countries visited, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Belgium.
Processing industry takes centre stage
In addition to 30 British potato growers, a few VTA (Verenigde Telers Akkerbouw) farmers also took part in the study trip. In each country, two growers that supply to the processing industry were visited. Purpose was to learn from each other's working methods, and to gain a better understanding of the various cost price aspects.
In Great Britain, the scale of the farmers is essential. In the Netherlands, high land prices influence the cost price. For all growers, the importance of the yield per hectare always comes to the fore.
The British growers were impressed by the fact that growers on the continent can deliver their entire harvest to the processor, while in England quite a bit of sorting is expected. Also, in all countries the huge importance of the processing industry became clear, with an increasingly large part being supplied as contract, causing the free market for potatoes to decline.
In the Netherlands, Leon Kranenburg's farming company in Haarlemmermeer, and NoviFarm in Numansdorp were visited. NEPG secretary Victor Phaff organized the study trip.
In the Netherlands, Leon Kranenburg's farming company in Haarlemmermeer, and NoviFarm in Numansdorp were visited. NEPG secretary Victor Phaff organized the study trip.