With the right weather the first potatoes are planted at the end of February or the beginning of March. However the cold and sometimes frosty nights in April delays the growth. This week after Pentecost the first new potatoes can be expected according to Swisspatat.
The harvest of these thin-skinned specialty potatoes started at the end of week 19 (week before Pentecost) but only in small quantities and in the east of Switzerland. In weeks 21 and 22 the harvest will begin in other regions of Switzerland.
In order to supply the market with Swiss potatoes as early as possible, potatoes of the caliber 30 mm - 50 mm are sold in the first phase. On 25 May a conference call will be held to check the new potato size and agree on the target price from the middle of week 22.
According to a press release of Swisspatat the standard potatoes, with a firmer peel, remain important for the Swiss market. And based on the current development the first harvest of these potatoes can be expected around week 24. The prognosis shows that then larger amounts could reach the market at the same time.
The estimates of the Swiss Central Office for Vegetables (SZG) are an important tool for the calculation of the expected harvest volume during this year's early potato season. Therefore Swisspatat asks all new potato producers to report according to schedule, before the end of May.
At the launch the producers set the target prices and size for new potatoes:
- Until the end of week 19: CHF 1.50/kg (1.50 USD) including VAT caliber 30 - 50 mm
- From week 20: CHF 1.40/kg (1.40 USD) including VAT caliber 30 - 50 mm
- From mid week 22: prices will be decided on 25 May 2016
Until May 25 the target prices and size for organic new potatoes are:
- Organic potatoes: prices vary, in consultation with buyer, caliber 30 - 60 mm