The North-Western European Potato Growers Association (NEPG) estimate that the acreage of consumption potatoes will increase slightly in the coming season. It should grow by one to two percent to 604,000 hectares in the five most important producing countries. This is based on an expansion estimate on the European continent.
This will be the largest area in more than ten years. This is an initial estimate since the planting season has just begun. Definite figures will be available in June. The increase in acreage is, in any case, in line with the increasing demand for potatoes. This increased demand is mainly from the processing industry. The growth could perhaps be a little higher if the availability of seed potatoes were less of a problem. Quality and tuber size could be a challenge for the 2019 seed potatoes.
Yield more important for the harvest than acreage
Based on experience, the NEPG emphasizes that yield per hectare, rather than acreage, is more important for the eventual total harvest. The planting of early potatoes for the processing industry has started on schedule. The rest of the potatoes will be planted in April or May, depending on the weather conditions.
In most of the NEPG countries, groundwater levels have not been completely replenished. This is after last year's dry season. Plants in some NEPG countries could start on a back foot for the third year in a row. This is if a sufficient amount of rain does not fall in the coming weeks.
The 2019/2020 season will be a long-stock season. This is because there is very little stock left from the current season. Some factories will close a little longer, and there will be pressure for an early harvest. The stocks in the five countries are much lower than the five-year average.
The NEPG is sure the actual high prices will remain at a high level until the end of the season. This should even be the case if the contracted volumes are available. The arrival of the early potatoes could change this. With what happened in 2018/2019, growers must be careful about what kinds of contracts they sign.
NEPG countries test alternatives to CIPC
By the start of the summer in 2020, the anti-sprouting agent, CIPC, will be banned. This is a major challenge for the entire chain. In the five NEPG countries, more than 20 million tons of potatoes are being stored. These are used for processing, export, and table potatoes. The different test results for alternatives are being exchanged between the NEPG countries. A temporary RMP has been requested by the sector. They want to be able to use these stored potatoes in the coming years.