Prices for table potatoes in many places at last week’s levels
The market supply of old-fashioned table potatoes, which mostly come from cold storage but from conventional box storage as well, is currently still problem-free. Inventories are slowly being reduced. The price levels on the domestic table potato market have not changed compared to last week. Sales are satisfactory. The demand for Egyptian new potatoes is solid. Planting of new potatoes is beginning, very hesitantly. In many places, especially on the coast, the fields are still too wet and too cold due to the snow over the Easter holidays. On light sandy soils, planting is already in full swing. Demands for peeled potatoes remain stable at last week’s level.
Brandenburg
In the past week, sales in the packaging business really broke down. After the brisk demand for Easter, the market is languishing. In some cases, the switch to imported new potatoes was postponed one week by the discounters. The quality of the domestic floury cooking varieties is no longer satisfactory. Many lots are marked by black spots. Imports from Egypt occasionally show germs. Sales of imported goods from Israel and Egypt are subdued. In the Berlin area, however, these so-called asparagus potatoes were more welcome. Next week, potato planting will begin in many regions. The fields are still too moist and too cold in many places, and the sowing of other summer crops sometimes takes precedence. Prices for peeled potatoes have not changed.
Saxony
After Easter, the volume requirements of the retail chains in the past week were reduced significantly. Demand is still very low, this week as well. In terms of price, the table potato market has repeatedly changed. Egyptian new potatoes complete the ranges, but are only a very small share of sales. With the beginning of the asparagus season, a stronger demand is expected in this regard. The propagation of the new potatoes are starting hesitantly. The demands for peeled goods remain stable at last week’s levels.
Saxony-Anhalt
The potato business is quiet, at stable prices. After Easter, sales fell noticeably in the past week. Promotions were hardly considered by the customers. As before, the quantity of stocked goods is sufficient. Starch factories have opened up to skim off excesses. Exports to the Czech Republic and Poland are ongoing. In many places, the planting of potatoes is still on hold. The surfaces are often too wet and the soil temperatures are still too low. Occasionally, potatoes were planted under fleece. Producers of processed potatoes were able to net the Agria variety (40+) in big bags at 10 to 10.5 EUR/dt. This lot was exported to Italy or Spain. Demand is moderate. The prices for peeled potatoes remain at last week’s levels.
Thuringia
In the second week after Easter, packers still report a very quiet location on the potato market as well. This affects domestic stock and imported goods alike. The demand for Egyptian new potatoes is still very low. Thus, hardly any goods are ordered by the packers. Cold stored lots are of good quality. Remaining lots, often with bruises and germs, are being cleared. For a little money, here and there sales are still possible. The price level for table potatoes and peeled potatoes remains at last week’s levels. For high-quality refrigerated goods a storage charge of 1 EUR/dt is possible.
Source: lallf mio