Consumption of fresh German table potatoes is again showing a slight increase, said Kartoffel-Marketing LLC last week. But the market fluctuates a lot in times of Corona, notes Stefan Eusterbrock, co-managing director of the eponymous agricultural company in Westphalia. "The current price range for firm cooking potatoes is between €4 and €14 per 100 kg. This is very unusual. This is one of the craziest potato seasons ever."
Good stock from German production is currently in great demand among domestic packers, but the willingness of producers to sell is low. Eusterbrock: "The farmers are still holding back a little because the prices are tending upwards. From my point of view, it will soon be possible to sell good quality at €16 per 100 kg. My recommendation, however, would be to bring the goods to the market evenly so that everyone can be served. Because not all stock can be sold later at the higher price."
Difficult potato season
It has been an extremely difficult season so far, the potato trader says looking back. "Firm-cooking potatoes were traded at €5 per 100 kg during the harvest. Then, from October onwards, prices increased slightly."
According to Eusterbrock, the strong price differences are also related to quality problems. "This year, there is a relatively large amount of poor-quality produce that is simply not visually acceptable. Logically, this is reflected in the market situation."
Westphalian family business Eusterbrock sees itself as a link between producers and packers, serving customers all over Germany. In contrast to the industrial potato sector, Corona has had a rather positive effect on the table potato market, they emphasise. "There is a slight increase in sales of table potatoes. In addition, the appreciation for regional potatoes has obviously increased. However, this appreciation has been seen for some time."
For more information:
Landhandel Josef Eusterbrock GmbH
Stefan Eusterbrock
Bokeler Straße 218
33397 Rietberg - Bokel
Tel: 05244 / 78320
Fax: 05244 / 78627
Stefan@eusterbrock-landhandel.de
http://www.eusterbrock-landhandel.de/