The potato campaign is underway in most places of the Spanish region of Castile-Leon. This season, the planting was very staggered as a result of rains and therefore the harvest is also being staggered. Of the nearly 20,000 hectares planted, 60 to 70% have already been harvested since the start of the campaign in July, according to sources within the sector. The campaign will not come to an end until late October, with Burgos, Palencia and Leon being the last provinces to finish the harvest.
This campaign has been good so far, but also complex. The staggering of the harvest has helped pushed market prices up. Throughout the summer, there has been a shortage of potatoes, unlike what happened in previous years, in which there was oversupply in August. In many towns, warehouse keepers have approached the growers to buy their potato harvest, when it is usually the other way around. At present, the supply is increasing and this is being reflected in the prices. Last week, these oscillated between 20 and 29 cents per kilo.
According to industry sources, it appears that French potatoes are reaching Catalonia at a price of 25 cents per kilo, and that from mid-October the volume entering is likely to increase, because operators have already reached agreements. The import of foreign potatoes will bring prices down to around 20 cents per kilo.
French potatoes are washed, with a very good appearance, but of a worse culinary quality; however, they are demanded by the consumer because of a lack of information. This is the potato sold by large retailers, which market more than half of the potatoes sold in Spain. Spanish seasonal potatoes, which have an uglier appearance, but yield better results in the kitchen, are restricted to the Horeca channel and to neighbourhood stores.
Regarding production costs, this campaign they have remained similar to the figures reached in previous years, around 5,000-5,200 €/hectare, which is about 11.5 cents/kg.
A total harvest of around 950,000 tonnes is expected. At the beginning of the season, yields were lower (below 40 tonnes/ha), but over the weeks they have gone up to above the 45 tonnes/ha.
Source: agrodigital.com
