Every year, Moroccan Nicola potatoes herald the beginning of the Dutch potato import season. "Our supplier has started harvesting in recent weeks. The first shipment of these potatoes arrived in Papendrecht, the Netherlands, late last week", says Cees Bruyn of Staay-Hispa.
That was 18 days later than in previous years. "That was because the potatoes' skins were not yet firm enough to pack and export." It is mostly the greengrocers, market traders, and packagers that are always on the market for these first Moroccan potatoes. Prices usually start high and fall slightly as volumes rise. We have also seen a continual improvement in Morocco's internal market in recent years. So, they, of course, do not export all their potatoes," explains the importer.
Staay receives the Nicolas in the following sizes - P 28-35 mm, M 35-55 mm, and G 55-65 mm. Cees expects to be able to offer these imported potatoes until at least mid-May. "Besides Nicolas, we will import the Spunta variety from the beginning of March too. We offer both these potato varieties in 15kg jute packs. There are 88 bags per pallet. There is, however, a shortage of jute bags. This season we will, therefore, also have these potatoes in polythene bags. It will have a paper inner bag to prevent discoloration," he says.
"We have full control of the seed potatoes of these varieties too. We manage these ourselves. This means we are assured of weekly arrivals of these Nicola and Spunta table potatoes", concludes Cees.
For more information:
Staay Food Group
Tel: +31 (0) 180 679 100
Email: Cees.Bruyn@Staay-hispa.nl
Website: www.staayfoodgroup.com