"September will be the moment of truth. My growers haven't harvested yet so we don't know for sure what the situation will be like. They are now slowly starting to harvest their produce," says Heike Valcke of potato wholesaler Valcke. "We know that there is sprouting in some parties and we haven't forgotten last year's storage situation. I think the risk of putting potatoes in a warehouse when the prices are so good is too high. The prices were around 25 Euro last week and rose to 27 Euro. This is very high for the time of year."
Field of Bintjes in June this year
The trader is completely done with the early potatoes. "We were one of the lucky ones. My growers almost all supplied the tonnes that were contracted. However, I think I'm one of few," says Valcke. Many growers aren't planning on harvesting the late potatoes yet. "There won't be any excess potatoes this year. Last season we were hoping the industry would demand the loose potatoes. The potato is moving from a feeding potato for animals to a consumption potato this year."
"I think almost all potatoes will go to the industry this year and we will get shorter fries. Yet it's all waiting for when the late potatoes have actually been harvested," concludes Heike.
For more information:
Heike Valcke
Aardappelen Valcke
Ketelstraat 20
8560 Moorsele
+32(0)56 5210 73