European physical markets
Price summary €/t (source: NEPG):
Belgium
Fiwap/PCA market message:
The planting of early potatoes in West Flanders continued slowly. It is estimated that 30 to 50% have been planted. As for the main harvest, there was some planting last week in Hesbaye (Liège), as well as in the regions of Soignies and Tournai. But these are exceptions, with 200 to 300ha planted. The expected rainfalls in northwestern Europe at the end of this week will likely delay/prevent the planting everywhere.
Potatoes for processing: stable markets, the offer is limited and the demand is a little more active. Export remains very difficult due to logistical problems and high transport costs.
Fontane and Challenger: 5.00 - 6.50 €/q, with the most practiced price for Fontane at 5.00 and for Challenger at 6.00.
Bintje: no quotation due to lack of transaction.
Innovator: no quotation due to lack of transaction.
Forward market
EEX in Leipzig (€/q) Bintje, Agria and related var. for transformer, 40 mm+, min 60 % 50 mm +:
Netherlands
Prices are slightly down, except for flakes (higher) and livestock (unchanged).
France
Prices are stable but factories buy very little. No delay in the removal of contracts. Some purchases via intermediate trade. In export, the market is still calm with prices which are stable or slightly down. Some shipments to Spain or Italy. Some demand from Portugal for red varieties.
Industrial production, bulk, departure, excl.VAT, Nord-Seine, €/qt, min - max (moy)(RNM):
Germany
The fresh market is stable, despite the usual increase in sales around Easter. Export is laborious. Polish producers are offering their old potatoes at lower prices, not only to the East but also to the Southeast and South of the continent. The market of potatoes for processing, on the other hand, is in decline as a consequence of the new (necessary) lockdown measures in Germany. Fresh market (early and semi-early): unchanged prices for firm flesh at 10.83 €/q (same before last quotation), and also unchanged for soft/mealy flesh at 10.25 €/q (same before last quotation). But the merchandise from refrigerated crates-pallets is 3€ higher (see REKA prices in table below!).
Processing market slightly down again: 7.25 - 7.75 €/q for Innovator (7.50 - 8.00 €/q € last week) as well as for Agria at 6.25 - 6.75 €/q (6.50 - 7.00 €/q), Challenger 6.75 - 7.25 €/q (7.00 - 7.50 €) and Fontane at 6.25 - 6.75 €/q (6.50 - 7.00 €/q). Varieties for chips/crisps are stable but firm at 9.00 to 13.00 €/q.
Planting of early natives: the planting for the fresh market is almost done, on surface areas equivalent to last year. We estimate a 10% decrease (Rhineland), however, for the varieties for fries, which is not the case for the varieties for chips/crisps.
Imported early potatoes: the early potatoes from Egypt dominate the shelves (the Israel origin will be next), with prices around 57 - 58.00 €/q.
Organic potatoes: unchanged producer prices at 40.00 €/q (all varieties and markets combined), returned trade.
Great Britain
Average price free markets for the week ending on March 30th, 2021: 14.78 £/q (14.70 £/q last week, = 16.20 €/q).
For more information:
FIWAP
www.fiwap.be