The main harvest of potatoes and onions is currently in full swing, reports Christian Bausch, Managing Director of Rainer Bausch GmbH in Lich Langsdorf. Although yields will be smaller this year, he wants to wait until the harvest is complete: "We have around 30% less potatoes, both potatoes and onions are smaller this year and we will be able to get the exact amount by the end of October estimate when the entire harvest has started." Prices are developing well in the segment and are at 26-30 euros per 100 kilos - projected to rise in the coming weeks. It is still unclear whether the prices can compensate the harvest losses for the producers, even thought the farmers, according to Bausch, seem satisfied in general.
The demand for potatoes this year is somewhat increased because of the scarcity, but otherwise it remains constant, says the expert. However, the high prices could have an impact on the acreage: "I see a slight increase in the acreage for next year and if we are unlucky the situation will be the other way around next year and we will have too many potatoes!" After years of extremes, you can often see a turnaround like this: "As the other products from this region have suffered this year, farmers who are already growing potatoes will probably do something more as an alternative next year, whether it makes sense or not then next year. "
Bausch: "Producers are always testing new varieties in cultivation; not every variety is suitable for this region and there are differences in the compatibility with weather conditions such as drought and heat - these are experiments for the next few years." He notes that 2012 was an extreme year already, but since then there have only been more or less average years for the potatoes. "Everyone is talking about climate change, but of course we do not know exactly what it will look like, no one knows what the weather will be like next year, and therefore it is difficult to specialize in drought-resistant varieties in advance, and there will be a focus on the varieties that have done well this summer or towards the more resistant varieties, so producers can protect themselves in the event of a fall and be able to deliver good quality potatoes," concludes Bausch.
For more information:
Christian Bausch
Rainer Bausch GmbH
Kartoffel- und Zwiebelgroßhandel
Blumenstrasse 11
35423 Lich Langsdorf
Tel: +49(0)6404 – 4906
Web: www.kartoffelbausch.de/
eMail: kartoffelbausch@t-online.de