Its getting colder and the potato market is beginning to pick up. According to Rik Tanghe from RTL Patat, volumes are already being exported, "Interestingly, the prices in the Netherlands are higher. Therefore, our branch in Breskens, Netherlands deals more with packaging onions then selling potatoes. Ideally, we would like to have things more evened out," says Rik Tanghe, the owner.
In 2014 RTL Patat in Lauwe, Belgium did not have much more room to grow at the location they were at. Then they invested in the Dutch company, Terrapoint, that is now called Brespotato BV. RTL Patat exports more some years and less in others, "We operate in two markets and sometimes industry is better and more goes that way. It depends on the market situation. In the future I see more growth opportunities on the export side, "Currently, we export to Africa, the Middle East, Spain and Portugal. We expected more demand from Eastern Europe. Our expectations were high, the market was hoping for a good level of demand at the end of December. This did not happen. I still think it will happen, we just have to be patient."
Bintje less important
Bintje less important
Tanghe expects industry demand to start increasing in March, "The industry wants to protect itself, I expect this to happen around March/April. In the short term the growers keep the potato numbers stable." Rik says that the industry is beginning to show preference for the Fontane and Challenger potatoes over the Bintje. The Bintje potato is becoming less and less valued. I believe that the share of this variety is 30% in the industry. This variety is more in demand in the fresh market. In terms of price, the Bintje potato is at the bottom. This year the quality was not the best, they had no regrowth this year and therefore were on the smaller side. Yet the taste of the Bintje cannot be compared to other varieties," says Rik. "The advantage of the Fontane and Challenger varieties is that they are less sensitive to heat."
Rik does not think that the Bintje will just disappear, "Small growers, in particular, have a preference for this variety because it is easy to store. Larger growers often have better storage facilities with refrigeration and they can switch more easily over to other varieties." Demand for the new varieties, like Fontane and Challenger, has been around for years, "If the market demands those varieties then it is best to go along with what is demanded."
Hotspot
RTL Patat is positive about the future, "We have recently taken a big step and we are hoping for further systematic growth. We have two great locations now, in Lauwe, Belgium and Breskens, Netherlands. We never thought about leaving this location, even though we do not have any further places to grow here. 80% of the Belgian fry factories are within a 50 kilometer radius. That's a pretty great spot, right? Our Breskens location is close to the ports in Antwerp and Zeebrugge, so this branch is in a great place as well."
Hotspot
RTL Patat is positive about the future, "We have recently taken a big step and we are hoping for further systematic growth. We have two great locations now, in Lauwe, Belgium and Breskens, Netherlands. We never thought about leaving this location, even though we do not have any further places to grow here. 80% of the Belgian fry factories are within a 50 kilometer radius. That's a pretty great spot, right? Our Breskens location is close to the ports in Antwerp and Zeebrugge, so this branch is in a great place as well."
For more information:
RTL Patat
Rekkemstraat 123
8930 Menen (Lauwe)
Tel: +32 56/41.19.89
Fax: +32 56/41 14 19
www.rtlpatat.be
rik@rtlpatat.be