"Experience shows that the early potato season starts with us in the north around May 10 with quite high prices. However, the extremely high price level continues. This has not been the case for a long time," the sales manager of Neuenkirchener Heidekartoffel Handelsgesellschaft mbH (NH), Torben Sander, informs us.
"At the start of the season, there was still too little rainfall, so the large calibers were missing in the early potatoes, which is why they were very rare and traded accordingly high." For example, the purchase price for 10-kg and 25-kg bags in August 2022 was still 50 percent lower according to Sander.
Managing Director René Riggers and Sales Manager Torben Sander (right) at their stand at the Hamburg wholesale market.
Ongoing summer slump
Food retailers in the greater Hanover area helped themselves generously to the early potatoes, which meant that the goods were cleared quickly, he said. "Normally, we find ourselves in a summer slump every year in July, which lasts for about one to two weeks. Now, however, it has been dragging on for four weeks. However, we were able to fill the gap thanks to our cooperation with a packing company that works closely with farmers."
The prolonged rains meant that growers producing for the NH were unable to use crop protection products to control weeds and pests, meaning delays are expected for the new crop. "Toward the end of August, growers will be able to start the main harvest. Optimally, however, harvest will not start until early September to allow the potato to post-ripen and the skin to develop well."
High demand for large caliber
The Hamburg-based company primarily sources goods from northern Germany, such as Lower Saxony and as far as the upper border of Schleswig-Holstein. "Our main business is in the sale of oversizes, meaning 55+. Both wholesale and catering services are among our main customers. There are also a few customers who peel their own produce, but we can report high sales of peeled produce," says Sander.
Vacation season quieter overall than usual
"This year, food retailers as well as the industry offered farmers significantly more money, which is why we were a bit hammered here in the wholesale business to some extent, especially since the packing companies were also supplied directly by the farmers. At that time, potatoes usually came from the Palatinate or central Germany." Furthermore, he said, the supply of imported goods was also quite tight this year. "Our wholesale customers are located all over northern Germany. Once it's a bit quieter in Hamburg due to the vacations, sales are more directed to customers along the coasts. This year, however, it is also more subdued than usual in these areas. That may be due to the weather, although I've noticed that a great many people are also flying away for vacation."
More raw produce marketed
Given the sharp changes in weather, he said it is increasingly challenging to be able to supply good qualities and suitable sizes. "Currently, we have too much water, while there was a lack of rain during crucial growing periods. Sprinkler systems can stabilize production to some extent, but they also can't have too much impact."
In the first half of 2023, the NH dedicated to the expansion of its organic range. "This includes rice, pasta and other products, which of course includes organic potatoes, although the latter are still more price-intensive than conventional goods, which is why this share tends to stagnate. Due to quotas, customers from communal catering take the goods well." At the moment, he is also selling more raw produce because many farmers who market their produce directly are not currently going out into the fields and also cannot offer large calibers. "In that respect, we're selling an uncharacteristic amount for the time of year because we can also guarantee security of supply."
Further information:
Torben Sander
Neuenkirchener Heidekartoffel Handelsgesellschaft mbH
Großmarkt Hamburg, Gang B - Stand 63-66
Banksstraße 28
20097 Hamburg
Telefon: +49 (0) 40 - 33 51 98
Fax: +49 (0) 40 - 32 44 18
bestellung@dienh.de
https://die-nh.de