Potato yields in Europe are low in general, but some regions of production in France are doing well, thanks to irrigation. Luc Deroulers, Eurocelp: "When irrigated, the yields can be good, but because of the very average tuberization, the sizes vary from big to very big. We also observed unusual rust stains on some lots, like Agata and Monalisa."
"The market conditions of the year will favor trade. The United Kingdom will for example buy more in other countries. And with the price level and the transport, if the lot is not suitable, the buyer who receives and the seller who has shipped lose a lot. It is therefore even more important to know what you are buying.”
Quality assessment
Luc works for Eurocelp, an automated tool for evaluating the quality of potato lots. “A camera views the size and presentation quality of each tuber. The latter also detects external faults. The analysis is made on samples of about 20 kg, and includes photos and measurement of the dry matter. The results are given online on the customer account.”
“The service is possible in two ways: either with the sampling and the analysis of the sample by us, or with the provision of equipment in the customer's laboratory.”
Eurocelp is aimed at the entire industry: producers, intermediaries, and packers. "Benefits are advantages in speed, accuracy, objectivity, and consistency for buyers and sellers."
Since this year, Eurocelp has been using artificial intelligence to detect and classify green and damaged potatoes. "We are actively working on other topics, such as diseases of the potato plant, and internal defects of the industry."
UNPT
Luc: "In France, the UNPT (National Union of Potato Producers) puts forward the Eurocelp service because it is able to facilitate contractual relations. The service is also particularly interesting to secure purchases in France when you are abroad. The sales team speaks English, German, Spanish, Italian, and French of course."
For more information:
Eurocelp
Hôtel d'entreprises - Activité 9
13 rue marie curie
10430 Rosières-près-troyes
+33 952 048 274/+33 674 944 283
luc.deroulers@eurocelp.com
www.eurocelp.com