The extreme weather conditions have led to the usual drop in potatoes. “Between gross and net yield is quite a difference. Especially the early strains suffer from greens and growth cracks. Some of the batches even consist of 20 per cent green potatoes. But we can sort those out easily enough. It causes a lot of work, but the end product is good,” explains Bram Werkman of potato wholesaler Landjuweel from Oosternieland, the Netherlands.
“The weather is creating challenges. First we had a drought, and now it should not become too wet. Phytophthora is seen more often than in recent years, even though we are managing it quite well,” Werkman continues. “I can imagine holidaymakers would rather have warmer weather, but the current weather is resulting in good domestic demand for potatoes. More Dutch meals are eaten when it is not 30 degrees Celsius, and potatoes still fit into that category.”