"Low price potato market offers many opportunities"

Potato prices are on the low side, but according to Bram Werkman of wholesaler Landjuweel from Oostnieland, the low market prices also offer opportunities. "Of course low prices aren't good for the grower, but that's just one point of view. This market situation also offers opportunities if there are many potatoes, because it gives the opportunity of exporting to destinations that weren't in the market last year."

"In addition, the consumer has had an expensive potato year the past year, where we saw consumption decreasing. Now there's a turning point, which is a very positive development," Bram continues. "You could wonder if the potatoes should be as cheap as they are now, but last year started out 'expensively', and you saw a dramatic decrease. Many growers are looking at it pessimistically, which is understandable, but the advantage is that we can only go up now."

The wholesaler doesn't expect the market price to bounce back for a while. "The harvest isn't behind boards yet, and you never know what will happen, also in other countries. First the harvest has to be finished, and that pressure will last for some weeks. When that's done, there's a possibility for change."

The quality of potatoes can be called good, according to Bram, apart from a few cosmetic flaws. He sees the decreasing number of suppliers on the free market as a logical development. "Supermarkets have a certain level of quality. Policy has led to an improvement in quality in the past years. So it's no longer a matter of purchasing left, right and centre on the free market, although there are still very good 'free' growers."

For more information:
Bram Werkman
Landjuweel
Oosternielandsterweg 9
9985 SB Oosternieland
Tel.: +31(0)595 45 42 00
Fax: +31(0)595 41 34 46
www.landjuweel.nl
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