The potato market is waiting for everything to be harvested. There is little free trade at the moment and the prices are under pressure. Stefaan Van Elven of Van Elven Agra expects there to be a different picture of the market once the harvest is over. "The situation at the moment is a result of last year. Planting was very early this year and people are now trying to push those volumes on the market which has devalued the prices."
3 generations of 'Van Elven' (left to right): Petrus, Cyriel, Stefaan and Fons Van Elven
"We normally start harvesting around the 20th of September, but it's still too dry to harvest in our region. They haven't forecast rain for the coming weeks, so we haven't been able to make any plans to harvest. Although it's clear that the yield will be better than last year, we certainly aren't expecting a great year. The heat and dry weather had it's influence on the production again this year. A bit of rain would do certain varieties good, but it's the final hour and it's almost time to stock the potatoes," concludes Stefaan.
For more information:
Stefaan Van Elven
Van Elven Agra 
Eindhoutseweg 42
2431 Veerle-Laakdal
+32(0)14 84 05 32
info@vanelven.be
www.vanelven.be