Belgium
Fiwap/PCA market message:
Early industrial varieties: General price, 35 mm+, min 60% 50 mm+, min 360 g/5kg of EPS, bulk, friable, selling price, excluding VAT, direct delivery: around €25,00/a, stable market. The supply is almost zero, given the very low yields (which are regularly insufficient to honour the contracts). Several factories are idling for lack of early supply. Buyers are prospecting in varieties of the fresh market whose PES is sufficiently high, and whose frying colour is correct.
The rains of the last five days have copiously watered the west of the country (40 to 70 mm on the west of West Flanders, 30 to 50 mm on the Tournaisis). They remained moderate in most parts of Flanders, and remain insufficient (10 to 30 mm) in eastern Hainaut, Walloon Brabant, Hesbaye, and northern Namur.
European physical markets
Summary of rates (source: NEPG):
Price in auctions/auction of Roeselare (source: REO via PCA): August 13:
Weighted price (red and white) for handpicked production: €0,39/kg (€39,00/a) excluding VAT. Supply: 14 tons.
Bintje plant: Prices supported by concerns over 2018 production are affected by the drought. All prices subject to change, inquire every day! Dutch plant, class A, made in March 2019, per 5 tons, in bags, excl. VAT: unavailable due to lack of trade.
Future market
EEX in Leipzig (€/a) Bintje, Agria and various related for conversion, 40 mm+, min 60 % 50 mm +:
France
Prices are already high in all open markets, given concerns about the upcoming crops. On the fresh markets, they range from €24.00 (soft, versatile pulp) to 40.00/a (firm top pulp). Even under irrigation, yields are estimated at 10t/ha lower than "normal".
Netherlands
Old crops are almost gone, and buyers are turning to the (future) harvest with questions about final yield and quality. Rains and freshness revive growth, so that everyone inventories, calculates and waits to see what August reserves. Trading is more active in order to fulfill contractual obligations with the industry. The actual transactions are between €25.00 and €30.00/a in various early varieties of fries.
Germany
*you will have to deduct €1,00/a from these prices in their starting fields in the table above for sorting fees
United Kingdom
Average producer price (all markets) week 31: unavailable.
Prices are up in most segments, reflecting limited overall supply. On the fresh markets, the old crop still occupies space, with sustained prices, while the new crop is growing on the shelves. There is competition between the industry and wholesale markets (bagged potatoes for peeling) with prices rising to around €30.00 to €34.00/a in major varieties (Maris Piper, Accord, Amora, Daisy, Sagitta). The crisps sector is particularly affected by (very) low yields, so that buyers are prospecting in French fries to compensate for the lack of supply. The rains were welcomed to the fields last week, bringing a little serenity to the countryside by reducing the work for irrigation, favouring yield and quality.
For more information:
FIWAP