The potato price is at a good level at the moment, but according to Joop Bonnet of potato wholesaler A.C. Loogman there is no peak period. "England (UK) is pulling it up, due to lack of own product, but it's not like we can't handle it. It's reasonably quiet among the packagers for export, maybe partially due to the good price level."
For Loogman the sales in the home market are the bulk, and according to Joop, these sales are going quite well. "In past years the prices were so low that the potatoes were on offer every other week and that's not the case this year. At the moment the field crop prices of potatoes suitable for washing are between 22 and 24 cents. Good for the growers, who can make some money this year."
According to Bonnet the British market is mainly demanding larger varieties, such as Melody. "Russia isn't on the market yet. They have enough own cultivation or Polish products. But the export to South America and the Caribbean area is going well."
Jan Westhoeve of the potato wholesaler of the same name from Oudorp says he hardly has to supply the fresh market any more. "There has been so much rejection. It's far too dangerous. We are mainly focusing on the chip industry at the moment and that's going well. A good price can be had at the moment. The flip side is that there are growers who are getting a bit full of themselves, which can make you fall hard. I think it's better to wait until January and February to sell, but those price developments can't continue until the spring."