The early potato sector benefited from the start of the asparagus season; due to rather limited availability from both Cyprus and southern Italy, prices remained firm, with small increases also reported locally, according to the BLE. In the storage potato sector, good quality potatoes were traded at mostly unchanged prices, with a few slightly higher prices here and there. Overall, supply was very well-matched to the encouraging demand generated by the start of the asparagus season.
"The soil moisture is far too low. At the moment, it's too dry for anything in agriculture," Olaf Feuerborn (63), head of the UNIKA potato association, told BILD. Soil moisture in May is crucial for the growth of potatoes, which need nutrients. "If May is as dry as March and April, this will have a negative impact on the potato harvest," says Feuerborn. "A poor harvest would then also affect potato prices."
Rhineland-Palatinate:
Demand on the potato market has strengthened, with direct marketers and packing companies reporting good sales ahead of the holidays. Early potatoes have not yet found the hoped-for sales. The German supply remains sufficient and is considered stable, while the processing potatoes continue to trade more weakly. The lack of rainfall is being compensated for with irrigation where possible for the early variety range.
North Rhine-Westphalia:
Additional demand is expected in the potato market from Easter business. Uncertainty remains in the industrial potato market. Cash prices remain under pressure. Planting is continuing apace.
Schleswig-Holstein:
The situation in the potato market is largely unchanged. Despite increased sorting, the supply is sufficient to meet demand. However, there are still no signs of a revival in demand, with hopes for an increase in demand resting on advertising campaigns by food retailers. However, there is currently no scope for price increases, as the market is currently under considerable pressure from early potatoes from Egypt, known as asparagus potatoes. In the industrial potato sector, prices are expected to fall further due to high supply. Planting is in full swing on potato fields in this country and is already well advanced thanks to optimal conditions. However, the dry weather is becoming increasingly problematic here too, so the weekend's rainfall was welcome but is still far from sufficient.