The Austrian early potato market is getting off to a nice slow start. New potatoes are now being harvested in all provinces. The yields of the early potato varieties are, with regional exceptions, usually quite reasonable. In Burgenland and Styria, yields per hectare were already at 30 to 35 tonnes at the beginning of the week. In Lower Austria, grubbing is currently taking place primarily in the Marchfeld area. The yield level here was recently between 25 and 30 t/ha.
In Upper Austria, late frosts slowed down the development of early varieties. The current yields are correspondingly modest at just under 20 t/ha. The available supply quantities are in good demand by the food retailers. Supply pressure is not yet noticeable. However, in view of the warm and humid weather, a corresponding increase in volume is expected in the next few days. In Burgenland, Styria and Lower Austria the producer prices at the beginning of the week were mostly between 35 and 37 Euro/100 kg. In Upper Austria the first new potatoes went for around 45 euro/100 kg.
Winter onion scarcity
Last week, the season changeover at the Austrian onion market took place. The marketing of the 2019 onion harvest is completed and since last weekend the first winter onions are in the food store. However, the available quantities are still very manageable and are accordingly in great demand from the buyer side. At the beginning of the week, 38 to 40 Euro/100 kg were paid for onions from the new harvest, cleaned and sorted in the box, depending on their quality.
New carrot season has started
The marketing of the 2019 carrot harvest is practically complete and the 2020 harvest is already in the starting blocks. The first early carrots were harvested in Lower Austria the week before. However, the volumes are still very manageable.
Source: LKÖ