After the economically unsatisfactory 2022 interim balance sheet, the "Pfälzer Grumbeere" growers' association can draw a much more positive, initial harvest balance sheet for the course of this year's early potato harvest, which officially ends each year on August 10.
Early potatoes are traditionally the most important economic mainstay of the producers
Traditionally, the early potato business is the most important economic mainstay of most of the 265 members of the producer association "Pfälzer Grumbeere". Based on the currently reported market figures on the yields achieved, the harvest volume will not quite reach the previous year's level of around 90,000 tons.
The hot temperatures in June and July meant that harvesting in the southwest was postponed in many places to the early morning hours at sunrise! This did not detract from the great quality. At this year's harvest peak, the harvest quantity on peak days was around 3,000 tons of "Pfälzer Grumbeere".
Despite higher costs, consumer prices were at the previous year's level
Despite higher costs, consumer prices at the start of the harvest were maintained at the previous year's level of 2 euros per kg. This ensured good sales not only in farm stores and at weekly markets, but also in food retailing (LEH). The good sales figures for producers in the Palatinate and neighboring regions were nevertheless able to turn the initially slightly below-average yields into a positive result. As the season progressed, prices fell and consumers were soon able to buy the standard 2 kg "Pfälzer Grumbeere" package in stores for 2.99 euros.
According to market observations by the "Pfälzer Grumbeere" producer association, consumer prices remained largely at the previous year's level over the course of the early potato harvest season. The quite adequate producer prices thus had virtually no impact on end customers. Another important reason for the improved earnings situation is that producers of "Pfälzer Grumbeere" were able to make the most of their traditional harvest lead this season: Already at the start of the main harvest in mid-June, the Palatinate was fully supplied with top qualities.
Due to natural fluctuations in harvest volumes, growers have to make longer-term calculations
Because of the natural fluctuations in harvest volumes and producer prices, on-farm calculations in potato farming usually run over a five-year period. Hartmut Magin, chairman of the "Pfälzer Grumbeere" growers' association, says: "Due to the high cost increases for inputs, operating materials and wages, the good earnings situation in this early potato campaign gives our growers the opportunity to cover deficits from the previous year. This gives us the much-needed room to maneuver to stay competitive!"
Review of the growing year: After a cold spell, growers were back on track
After starting the season in a mild February, seed potatoes were able to sprout very early this spring. The relatively cold March meant that in many places the crops had to be protected with frost irrigation. The first "Palatinate early potatoes" were marketed from mid-May as loose-skinned bagged goods via farm stores and weekly markets. In mid-June, the first firm-skinned "Palatinate early potatoes" - also in very good qualities - were sold in food retailers throughout Germany. After the changeover from foreign produce to the traditional first early potatoes from German cultivation was completed very promptly, potato sales were maintained at a constant level during the harvest in the southwest - despite very hot temperatures at times in June and July. At this year's harvest peak, the grub quantity on peak days was around 3,000 tons of "Pfälzer Grumbeere". At around 4,000 hectares, the area under cultivation was on a par with the previous year. The "Pfälzer Grumbeere" growers' association, which is based in the Upper Rhine Plain and has members in neighboring Baden-Württemberg and Hesse, is the largest contiguous early potato growing area in Germany.
Natural head start with harvest beginning up to two weeks earlier in the southwest
Due to the climatic advantages, the excellent soils and the specialization of the growers, the first Annabelle and Berber of the new season could be harvested up to two weeks earlier - compared to other domestic growing regions. Hartmut Magin emphasizes that the particularly early varieties demand a lot of work from the growers: "Thanks to a great team effort of our farms with the marketing partners and the trade, the growers of 'Pfälzer Grumbeere' were fully on schedule this season and were able to supply the nationwide consumers promptly and reliably with the much-awaited, first domestic early potatoes!"
Images: EZG "Pfälzer Grumbeere"
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