“Despite stable low prices, few sales on the potato market”

The market situation for potatoes isn’t looking great. “We’ve had an overabundance of potatoes ever since the growing season. Export isn’t even that bad, but there’s such a large number of parties on the market that are putting pressure on price and sales, that the market is just standing still,” says Adrie Kleinjan.

“All in all, this causes a very unstable market. Qualitatively, many potatoes are just regular, and this will only become worse due to wear later in the season. Prices are stable and low, and yet there aren’t many sales. This year it’s not even so much the low export deciding prices, but mostly the large quantities,” Adrie continues.

“Senegal was a good buyer, but has now closed its borders again for a few months. There’s still a bit of Africa, overseas and the Caribbean. We’re trying to sell some towards the former Eastern Bloc, but that’s also difficult due to competition from Belgium and France. We’ll also have to face the ABC-virus soon (Africa closes its borders, Berlin fair, Carnival/holidays), this usually causes the market to be even more difficult.”

When asked what could result in a recovery, the potato trader answers: “For that we’d have to hope for regions where we could structurally sell our potatoes. A late spring could also result in a recovery, but that would only result in a better price for a limited number of growers. In the past, Russia was a good buyer when export to Africa stopped. They’re now looking for new markets, and they’re partially successful in opening these, but it’s not enough yet to get rid of the enormous amount of potatoes.”

For more information:
Kleinjan's aardappelhandel
Zuidoordseweg 6
3267 LW Goudswaard, the Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)186 692 900
Fax.: +31 (0)186 691 491
info@kleinjansaardappelhandel.nl
www.kleinjansaardappelhandel.nl