According to Bram Werkman of potato wholesaler Landjuweel, the current potato market can be best described as lazy and expensive. "We are actually in a special situation, because as far as price is concerned not much is happening, even though the supply is there. There are a reasonable amount of parties that are ready to sprout and that don't have an optimal shelf life. On the other hand I expected an increase due to the harvest yields."
"The quality certainly isn't bad. Last year the quality problems were much worse with all the damp. The potatoes have had completely different growing conditions," says Bram. He expects a stable market over the coming weeks. "It could be that a certain variety is less available and has a revival, but I expect it to mostly remain stable."
According to the wholesaler the demand from the supermarkets is reasonably good. "The summer dip was big and there were less large scale actions due to the price level. This will make a difference of a few percent in turnover at the end of the year. But I'm positive about the consumption. The consumer still wants to eat a potato, but they no longer buy them in large bags at a time, as with many other products. We aren't complaining!"
For the first time in their 96 year history Landjuweel will make its debut next year as an exhibitor at the Fruit Logistica in Berlin (hall 11.1, stand A-07). "The time seemed right for us to try it out. I'm not saying we will be doing it every year, but we'd like to try it. It's better than doing nothing," concludes Bram, laughing.
For more information:
Bram Werkman
Landjuweel
Oosternielandsterweg 9
9985 SB Oosternieland
Tel.: (0595) 45 42 00
Fax: (0595) 41 34 46
b.werkman@landjuweel.nl
www.landjuweel.nl