There are still quite a lot of potatoes from the old harvest, but the potato importing season is now slowly taking shape. At the Aardappelhoeve premiere potatoes from Israel have been available since the beginning of March, both conventional and bio. According to Bart Nemegheer the supply is small and the demand is starting to come.
Lower yield
Bart: "there is mainly supply from Israel at the moment. Cyprus is also carefully starting. They're a bit later than last year. In general, less volumes are expected. They have a lower yield per hectare in most countries due to the unfavourable weather conditions and the areas are smaller than last year. The yields were very high then. Another difference compared to last year is that the calibres are now smaller. With the combinations of less volume and smaller yields, it could be a completely different story to last year."
Arrival of new harvest from Israel
Real switch in May
Various Aardappelhoeve customers are starting to switch to the new harvest. "It starts slowly with a few references, but the real switch doesn't happen until the Spanish harvest is available. They will arrive at the end of April and the real volumes will arrive in May." He says the consumer decides. "It's not like the supermarkets decide themselves. People can now choose between old and new harvest and you see certain consumers choosing the premieres, even if they are more expensive. Of course, the good weather strengthens the demand."
Old season is over
The difference in price between the old and new harvest is big. "The old potatoes are around 50/60 Euro per ton for good washable quality and the new harvest of Nicolas from Israel get around 600 per tonne. Of course, the quality is very different. Good quality old harvest is rare at the moment." Bart is happy that the 'old' season is almost over. "Let's hope the prices for the premiers remain good. We have had a season that didn't make anyone happy."
Lower yield
Bart: "there is mainly supply from Israel at the moment. Cyprus is also carefully starting. They're a bit later than last year. In general, less volumes are expected. They have a lower yield per hectare in most countries due to the unfavourable weather conditions and the areas are smaller than last year. The yields were very high then. Another difference compared to last year is that the calibres are now smaller. With the combinations of less volume and smaller yields, it could be a completely different story to last year."
Arrival of new harvest from Israel
Real switch in May
Various Aardappelhoeve customers are starting to switch to the new harvest. "It starts slowly with a few references, but the real switch doesn't happen until the Spanish harvest is available. They will arrive at the end of April and the real volumes will arrive in May." He says the consumer decides. "It's not like the supermarkets decide themselves. People can now choose between old and new harvest and you see certain consumers choosing the premieres, even if they are more expensive. Of course, the good weather strengthens the demand."
Old season is over
The difference in price between the old and new harvest is big. "The old potatoes are around 50/60 Euro per ton for good washable quality and the new harvest of Nicolas from Israel get around 600 per tonne. Of course, the quality is very different. Good quality old harvest is rare at the moment." Bart is happy that the 'old' season is almost over. "Let's hope the prices for the premiers remain good. We have had a season that didn't make anyone happy."
For more information:
Bart Nemegheer
De Aardappelhoeve
Putterijstraat 7A
8700 Tielt
T. +32 - 051 40 25 00
F. +32 - 051 40 95 01
www.deaardappelhoeve.com
Bart Nemegheer
De Aardappelhoeve
Putterijstraat 7A
8700 Tielt
T. +32 - 051 40 25 00
F. +32 - 051 40 95 01
www.deaardappelhoeve.com