This week, the UK also published its estimated harvest: 4.2 million tonnes. This is their lowest harvest since 2012. Last week, France published adjusted figures of 5.8 million consumption potatoes in total. The total harvest estimates in the NEPG countries has now been established at 24.3 million tonnes (see enclosure). This is 18 per cent lower than last season and nearly eight per cent lower than the five-year average. The most important cause for the lower harvest is the lower yield per hectare despite the fact that the area of consumption potatoes in NEPG countries grew slightly by one per cent.
The UK was late with their harvest, and yields were extremely low because of the weather during the growing season, just like in other countries. The total yield per hectare decreased by 15 per cent compared to last season, to 41.7 tonnes per hectare. Risky batches are also processed early here, which detracts from the regular supply pattern. The storage figures from the UK will be published early next year.
Lower continental stocks
As expected, recent stock determinations on the mainland also indicate much lower available stocks compared to recent years. The majority of problem batches as a result of sprouting has already been processed early, so that good contract potatoes that would have been supplied in November and December have been delayed until the new year. The NEPG expects that the high and firm market level will last into the new year. The newly offered contracts of processors also reflect the actual situation, and according to the NEPG, these will be offered at a higher and more realistic level.