France: "Discussions on contract specifications continue"

 

Fiwap/PCA market message:

 

Industrial conservation varieties:

Bintje: €25,00/qt, a weak and evolving market. Quality problems (EPS, being loose, size, roast) grew rapidly this week. Supply increases relative to lower demand (fewer industrial buyers);
Fontane: €25,00 to €27,00/qt; most common price €27,00/qt; strong market, with little supply compared to active demand;

Challenger: €25,00 to €27,00/qt; strong market.
These prices apply to all buyers, bulk, friable, selling price, excluding VAT, direct delivery 35 mm+, min 60% 50 mm+, and min 360 g/5kg of EPS. However, some (unofficial) size standards, as well as EPS flexibilities are being applied by some buyers.

 

 

Summary of rates (source: NEPG):

 

 

EEX in Leipzig (€/a) Bintje, Agria and various related for conversion, 40 mm+, min 60 % 50 mm +:

 

 

Bintje plant: Dutch plant, class A, made in March 2019, per 5 tons, in bags, excl. VAT: strong prices, no trade:

Size 28 - 35 mm: €89,00 – €92,00/qt

 

Size 35 – 45 mm: €58,00 – €61,00/qt

 

 

Little change in courses and market conditions last week. Industrial buyers are banking on an increase in supply during the harvest period, and are less active. Prices remain between €26,00 et €29,00/qt depending on variety and quality. Export remains slow, with prices for preparators (40 mm+ in bags) between €32,00 and €34,00/qt. On the domestic fresh market, soft pulp varieties are traded between €24,00 and €28,00/qt, and firm pulp varieties for over €30,00/qt, depending on washability.

 

PotatoNL course: also available on www.potatonl.com

 

 

Strong markets and rather stable prices, between €25,00 and €29,00/qt depending on variety. Industrialists continue to focus on dual-use varieties (fresh and industry). The supply is low because it’s difficult for the producers to offer quantities before being sure of being able to honor the contracts. Contracted amounts are often problematic, and discussions are continuing with some buyers to adjust the specifications. There is also a lot of talk about salt baths. The fresh market (both domestic and export) charges prices between €25,00 and €40,00/qt depending on variety and quality. Haulm destruction is finally developing on the fields, and the harvest has been disturbed by too dry soil conditions until last week.

 

Unwashed industrial potatoes, bulk, selling price, excl. VAT, North Seine, €/qt, min – max (avg) (RNM):

 

Industrial processing (source: GIPT via UNPT): French factories processed 83,000 tons of potatoes in July 2018, 29% (18,000 tons) more than in July 2017, and 35,000 tons more than in July 2016.
 
Germany

The harvest is progressing in most of the Länder. This is one of the first times that the sector -mostly farmers- is facing major problems of discards; for Fontane, but even worse for Markies! The big debate is on the one hand the question of differences between "gross tons" and "net tons", and on the other hand the ability of production for conservation; this will partly depend on the weather conditions during the harvest, but on those afterwards as well.

On September 21, prices had remained unchanged for firm pulp varieties on the fresh market (Rhineland), at €28,00/qt, and at €26,00/qt for soft pulp. For early firm pulp on-farm sales (Rhineland) prices vary between €11,00 and €12,00/qt per 25 kg bag (unchanged). In early potatoes for the industry (fries), prices remain unchanged, strong market. various early crops at €27,00/qt, Agria /Zorba at 28,00 €/q (+€1), Fontane at €27,00/qt, and Innovator/Ivory Russet at €29,00/qt.

 

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