"Potato markets supported by confirmation of low yields throughout Western Europe"

Fiwap/PCA market message:

Industrial conservation varieties:
Bintje: €25,00 to €27,00/qt; most common price €25,00/qt; stable market. Supply increases due to increasing quality problems (EPS, being loose, size), compared to lower demand (fewer industrial buyers);
Fontane: €25,00 to €27,00/qt; most common price €27,00/qt; strong market, with little supply compared to active demand;
Challenger: €25,00 to €27,00/qt; strong market.
These prices apply to all buyers, bulk, friable, selling price, excluding VAT, direct delivery 35 mm+, min 60% 50 mm+, and min 360 g/5kg of EPS. However, some (unofficial) size standards, as well as eps flexibilities are being applied by some buyers.

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

 

Plant de Bintje : Dutch plant, class A, made in March 2019, per 5 tons, in bags, excl. VAT: strong prices, no trade:

Size 28 - 35 mm : 89,00 – 92,00 €/q

 

Size 35 – 45 mm : 58,00 – 61,00 €/q

 

Markets supported by the gradual confirmation of (very) low yields throughout Western Europe. Prices have changed little in recent days, ranging from €25,00 to €29,00/qt in industrial varieties, €24,00 à €28,00/qt in soft pulp varieties for the internal fresh market, and even lower prices for export. Overall supply is rather reluctant, but the emergence of quality problems (declining ePS, an increase in being loose) brings lots on the market and pushes some producers to sell field output, given the current price level. The harvest develops, but is held back by conditions that become (too) dry in places (again).

 

PotatoNL course: also available on www.potatonl.com

 

 

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

 

The harvest is progressing in most of the Länder; either due to rain, or because of irrigated land. The last early crops will be harvested/delivered this week. On the fresh market (Rhineland), the prices remained unchanged for firm pulp on September 14 at €28,00/qt, and at €26,00/qt for soft pulp. For early firm pulp on-farm sales (Rhineland), prices vary between €11,00 and €12,00/qt per 25 kg bag (unchanged). In early potatoes for the industry (fries), prices remain unchanged, strong market. Various early crops at €26,00/qt, Agria /Zorba at €28,00/qt (+€1), Fontane at €27,00/qt, and Innovator/Ivory Russet at €29,00/qt.

Overall, the market remains tight, with better prices given for batches with larger sizes and length (transfo), and many lots of various "fresh market” varieties going for processing if the dry matter is sufficient. 

Average producer price (all markets) week 36: €25,65/qt.
The packaging markets are still partially supplied by the old crop!
Wholesaling markets maintain high prices for fries (for Fish & chips shops) between €27.50 and €33.75/qt (in bags), while the industry buys Maris Piper between €22.20 and €26,65/qt depending on quality.
The harvest has advanced last week, but at a lower than normal rate, and with very variable returns. Producers let the last kilos (with irrigation) harden their skin for a few more days, and hope that consequent rains will improve soil conditions. Cultivation rejection raises questions and problems on non-irrigated plots in susceptible varieties.

Low harvest expected (source: Ministry of Agriculture via VTA): Due to excessive rains and low temperatures, yields are low. Production is down in early by 20%, 15% in mid-early, and 9% in late. Spanish production is expected to reach 2.02 million tons, down from 2.37 million tons last year. This is the lowest harvest since 2012.

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