“Futures market for potatoes not balanced with effective market”

There is an enormous amount of tension on the potato market. “I have been working in this field for quite a number of years by now, but I cannot figure this season out. Take, for example, the futures market, it has dropped from 25 to 20 cent, but the effective market is subsequently not dropping along with it. You cannot sell even one kilogram for that price, because cultivators are convinced prices will recover,” says Joop Bonnet from potato wholesaler’s AC Loogman.

“That is causing a grisly market. Everyone is waiting. Exporters can currently not buy potatoes because international markets refuse to pay the price. There are no more oversized seed-potatoes, and international customers are not absorbing consumption potatoes at these prices. And we are not just talking about Africa,” Joop continues. “I am afraid to voice any expectations. If the farmers are right, the market will further recover, but if the exporters are right, prices will drop even more.” 

“Especially potatoes suitable for washing-plants are very expensive, but that supply of good potatoes is not very large anymore. That is why I expect we will start with imported potatoes earlier than in previous years. There is a good demand for new potatoes, so they will not be cheap. Especially not if supermarkets start buying them. Next week, we will start with the first imported potatoes from Egypt, and the chains we supply will already switch to new, waxy potatoes in three weeks.”

According to the potato trader, the organic potatoes are very 'in' right now. “We have run out and there is a shortage. We have our own pool, but it is completely empty. There are hardly any organic potatoes for sale in the Netherlands, and when they are, the potatoes are extremely expensive. Sales are even occurring with prices between 85 and 90 cent. Despite the high prices, consumers just buy organic potatoes. It is unbelievable,” Joop concludes.