The surplus of old harvest can no longer find a buyer

Price in auctions/auction of Roeselare (source: REO via PCA): June 25:

Weighted price (red and white) for handpicked production: 0,26 €/kg (30,00 €/q) excluding VAT. Supply: 33 tons.

EEX in Leipzig (€/a) Bintje, Agria and various related for conversion, 40 mm+, min 60 % 50 mm +:

The surplus of old harvest can no longer find a buyer except for the "meeleveraardappelen" (tons that the buyer is required to take; even if the price isn’t fixed in advance). Courses somewhat declined again last week, and free trade is almost nonexistent. The alternative distribution channels (biogas, cattle, flakes, etc.) are saturated. Industries will be turning most of July with the old crop, but that will not be enough to clear the market. The rare free transactions are between 1.00 and 5.10 €/a in Agria, Markies or Challenger.

The drought is marked as progressive in the field. June 2018 currently is the driest month of June since 1962, with only 26 mm of precipitation, in contrast to the usual average of 68 mm for June. The water deficit in the territory is 125 mm since the beginning of the season, which places 2018 among the 5% of driest years.

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Industrial transformation (source: NAO): Dutch factories processed 357,400 tons last May, 12,000 tons more than last year. Over the last 12 months, 4,036,000 tons have been processed, equivalent to last year (4.034.000 tons). 

The demand was described as non-existent last week, in the context of “weather", increasingly marked by the drought-stricken environment. The main French manufacturer maintained its prices at € 1.00/a in Bintje, and at € 6.00/a for the other varieties, but without being a buyer apart from the volumes contracted in hectares. Previous purchases are being delivered with reported refusals due to insufficient quality. Trade is almost non-existent, except for a few contract replacement volumes. The fresh potato markets are coming to an end, for export as well as domestic sale. Foreign vegetables are increasing in stores (Israel, Italy). In the field, late blight and CPB need to stay alert everywhere. Harvesting problems have been reported in various regions, while irrigation has resumed in Picardie and Centre/Beauce.

Unwashed industrial potato, bulk, selling price, excl. VAT, North Seine, €/a, min – max (avg) (RNM):

On June 22, the price for early firm pulp potatoes on the fresh market in the Rhineland ranged between 14 and 15,00 €/a. In potatoes for the industry (fries), courses are down to 4.00 €/a.

Indigenous early crops: early crops at 45,50 €/a (28,08 €/a on the same date last year)

Average producer price (all markets) week 24: unavailable.

Very little free trade, both in the industrial and the fresh market. Old crop supply continues to weigh on prices. Rare, relayed transactions are 8.00 - 10.00 €/a in Markies, Agria, or Maris Piper of targeted quality. Early vegetables have increased in distribution, mainly under contract for now. The offered quality seems to remain correct. The mild weather and the football world cup reduce the visiting of Fish & chips shops. In the field, drought (accentuated by the wind last week) is evident in the main production areas. Many parcels do not close the lines. Irrigation was disturbed by the wind as well.