With the export of their first seed potatoes abroad in 1989, Jens and Carsten Mohr laid the foundation for what is now an internationally established brand: Mohr Potatoes. Last week, the brand celebrated its eleventh anniversary – but it has far more than a decade of experience behind it. Jens und Carsten Mohr GmbH & Co. KG, formed in 1996 from the merger of the two cousins' businesses, can now look back on over 20 years of specialized seed potato production. The North German family business cultivates around 950 hectares in the fertile marshlands on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein and works closely with regional partner companies. State-of-the-art technology, strictly controlled production processes, and the selection of high-quality seed potatoes ensure an annual yield of over 5,000 tons of seed potatoes, which are in demand not only in Europe but mainly in North Africa and the Middle East.
© Eva Kristin Bartels
Since the Mohr Potatoes brand was established in 2014, the company has been consistently expanding its international presence. The two cousins, Jens and Carsten Mohr, who currently run the company, are already training the next generation (their daughters Anneke and Johanna) to take over. While the company specializes in the propagation of open varieties and selected German and Dutch cultivars, the affiliated trading division with two employees focuses on international sales – including oversized potatoes for export to other European countries. In addition to a stable position in the North African market, the company is increasingly looking towards Latin America. The company is pursuing its growth plans with typical North German down-to-earthness: cautiously, but always with a focus on quality.
© Eva Kristin Bartels
Big anniversary celebration with customers, partners, and families
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.comOn October 5, Mohr Potatoes invited guests to celebrate the eleventh anniversary of the brand, and around 300 to 350 guests accepted the invitation. "It was an all-round successful celebration," reports Fernando Figueroa von Fabeck (right), responsible for production and sales in the export sector. "We were particularly pleased with the many positive responses from customers, partner companies, and families who celebrated this day with us."
Visitors included long-standing customers, regional propagation companies, and representatives of well-known machine manufacturers such as Grimme, de Wulf, Muss Agrartechnik, and RM/Ruijter. In addition to a small machine demonstration—including the presentation of a new crate washing machine—the program also included personal discussions, a joint reception with a speech, and a varied supporting program. In a neighboring hall, visitors were able to examine various potato varieties, including open varieties and new clones from the Netherlands, Bavaria, and Poland, with which Mohr Potatoes may wish to work in the future in the area of protected varieties. For the younger guests, there was a bouncy castle, and a magician provided entertainment for the audience. The event officially ran from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., but the celebrations continued late into the night.
© Eva Kristin Bartels
Impression of the successful anniversary celebration
Challenging market environment clouds harvest results
As festive as the anniversary celebrations were, the market situation is currently tense. "This year is the most difficult in my four years with the company," says Fernando Figueroa. There is a global oversupply of potatoes, and demand from North Africa – one of Mohr Potatoes' main markets – is currently subdued. "Customers are trying to push down prices and buy time. But we have to sell our seed potatoes. That makes us nervous," says Figueroa. The goal is to sell around 75 to 80% of the goods by December or January at the latest. Although many contracts have already been signed, the remaining quantities could prove challenging.
Added to this are phytosanitary problems: virus infections have led to an increase in rejections this year, particularly in Lower Saxony, but also increasingly in Schleswig-Holstein. "These qualities then often end up on the food market, where they further exacerbate price pressure."
© Eva Kristin Bartels
Future-oriented
Despite everything, Mohr Potatoes is cautiously optimistic about the future. With flexible marketing, such as selling oversized potatoes as food products, and new variety projects, the company continues to focus on quality and long-term partnerships.
For more information:
Fernando Figueroa von Fabeck
Mohr Potatoes
Nordseeweg 1
25764 Heringsand
Phone: +49 162 183 4450
[email protected]
www.mohrpotatoes.de
