Dutch harvest 2018: small potatoes require better sorting

The summer of 2018 has entered the records as an extremely dry one. This has major consequences for the harvests in the fresh produce sector. The lack of rain means potatoes are smaller than they normally are. The difference can be seen quite well for this grower in Drenthe, the Netherlands (link to Dutch article), for example. Not just that, the dry weather causes more problems besides a bad harvest. Growers are facing contractual problems (link to Dutch article) because of the disappointing sizes of the potatoes.

These potato contracts establish how many potatoes should make up a kilogram, but also the size of the potatoes. That last bit in particular is causing major problems. For many producers, length is important for processing the products. If this isn’t met, consumers end up with smaller products on their plates. Think of, for example, chips, grilled potatoes or baked potatoes. The producers of these products have very specific demands regarding shape, length and weight. Besides, restaurants also think it’s important every plate features an even potato.

Because of the dry weather, it’s now more difficult to meet contractual demands, but this doesn’t stop production. Demand for large potatoes therefore remains considerable. This means it’s more important than ever that potatoes are sorted well and carefully.

The Newtec Celox optical sorting machine ensures potatoes with the right size are sorted correctly right away. Piet Pannekeet, manager of JASA: “The Celox is best able to sort the potatoes on size and quality.” Because of this, producers can continue to meet contractual demands as best as possible, despite a disappointing harvest. And the small potatoes? These can be processed into slices and wedges.

JASA was present at the Aardappel Demodag in Westmaas on 22 August, stand 41.

JASA Packaging Solutions
Hazenkoog 14-16
1822 BS Alkmaar, the Netherlands
T. +31 (0)72 561 27 00
F. +31 (0)72 562 54 07

s.hulshoff@jasa.nl