According to Kees Schouten of Altena Potato Traders there is a good demand for early potatoes from Malta. "Supply is moderate. Because of the cold weather in spring there are not as many potatoes from Malta as in other years. I estimate that supply is about 40% less. Therefore I expect good prices for Alpha potatoes from Malta."
"Because of the moderate supply there have not been many promotions on the shop floor, but from next week all supermarkets will have Malta potatoes available" Kees continues. "We hope that the weather will improve, because the demand will increase automatically. As long as the old potatoes are good and cheap consumers will not go for the expensive new potatoes as quickly. We will, however, have potatoes from Malta till about the end of June.
The export of the old potatoes is also good, according to Kees. "At the moment we export many Agria's to France and Spain, especially for the industry. We load lorries with Agria's daily. The old potatoes in Spain are coming to an end and then one comes here. And it will take a little time before early potatoes will be available in Spain. Last year in this week quite some Spanish Doré's were loaded already, but it has been so cold that now hardly any Spanish potatoes arrive."
"It is noticeable that the quality deteriorates during storage. Many potatoes arrived moist last year and because of the ventilation pressure spots occurred. We have strictly selected and therefore still have a good demand, but that is because of the good quality we have supplied" Kees says. "The prices, 4 to 6 cents, are at a dramatic level. The cause of this is not the quality but the supply. There are just too many potatoes."
Kees is more optimistic about the Dutch early potato season. "In any case less has been planted and also the area looks better than the present season. Only one does not know what the weather will do. Up to now nothing has grown as yet."
More information:
Aardappelgroothandel Altena B.V.
23, Oude Kerkstraat
4261 BL Wijk en Aalburg
Tel: +31(0) 416 691241
Fax: +31(0) 416 692822
[email protected]
www.altena-bv.nl