"The potato market is in transition at this time of year," says Jurgen Duthoo of Warnez in Belgium. "A few traders are still working with local products, but others are opting for early potatoes from southern Europe, especially Spain."
Julie Warnez and Jurgen Duthoo at Fruit Logistica
"The weather caused some delay in Spain, though, and the potatoes experienced some growth problems. But it's all running pretty smoothly now. The foul weather could somewhat affect yields. We've, however, had no quality complaints. Mainly because of the good follow-up of our people there."
According to Jurgen, the dry weather Belgium experienced until late May will impact the new crop. "Until week 20, it was as dry as the 1976 record year. That could affect the early harvest. The recent rains and that forecast for the coming days will make it manageable in the end, I think. One can't yet draw a definite conclusion about the September/October storage crop. That's still a long way off, and, in the past, we've seen that things can recover quickly if it rains," he says.
Warnez sees the potato market shifting. "Fewer people are eating fresh onions, but freshly processed potato volumes are growing," explains Warnez's Christophe De Loore. "The war, high inflation, and price increases mean people are shopping with more forethought. Fewer consumers are buying organic, but volumes are rising at hard discounts, including bulk potatoes. The increasing demand for convenience means meal boxes' share continues to grow too."
Jurgen is not concerned about the news that some growers are using part of their acreage for grain cultivation. "It's hard to say how many are doing so, but potatoes will always be an important crop for Western Europe. The grain story could be a temporary one, which is why I think potatoes will always have sufficient outlets. Potatoes will always be important in this part of the world," he concludes.
For more information:
Jurgen Duthoo
Warnez Potatoes
2L Marialoopsesteenweg
B-8700, Tielt, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 51400 812
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.warnezpotatoes.be
