WEATHER CONDITIONS, RESTRICTED IMPORTS AND SEED SHORTAGE ALL TAKE THEIR TOLL ON POTATO MARKET
WEATHER conditions have driven prices up in both the packing and industrial sectors of Bavaria in Germany.
This year, there have been fewer inquiries from Romania and Bulgaria, while the demand in Slovenia, Croatia, and the Czech Republic was significantly higher compared to other years, according to one supplier.
He said the French fry industry is increasingly seeking regionally-cultivated goods and this segment is growing accordingly, while the cultivation of starch potatoes is being reduced.
Such price increases have been commonplace in Germany this year.
The average price for waxy potatoes in Germany increased to 1.63 euros per kilo in June, from last year’s 1.54 euros because of heavy rainfall delaying planting and harvesting. The supply of early potatoes was tight, leading to higher prices, and the situation worsened by fewer imports from countries like Israel, Egypt, and Spain. There was also a shortage of seed potatoes owing to decreased production and a ban on certain pesticides. Consumers expected to see a decrease in prices by July, and the main potato harvest for supermarkets began mid-June, according to insights by Tridge.
Growers in Germany could have planted their potatoes in the classic early potato growing areas as early as February and early March. After that, however, it always rained in the south and southwest. The delays were particularly severe on the Lower Rhine, in the Netherlands and in Belgium. Growers were unable to get out into the fields because of the rain, according to Christoph Hambloch, market expert at the Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI) in Bonn.
German growers are due to discuss a number of items impacting on their industry at the 71st Internationale Kartoffel-Herbstbörse by the German Potato Trade Association on October 1st, including all stages of the value chain and the past year of unusual weather conditions.
Expectations for the 2024/2025 marketing season will be aired at the event and computer scientist and AI researcher, Dr Christoph Endres, will also offer insights into typical threats that can affect the potato trade.
Meanwhile, efforts to encourage further skills and draw more people to the industry, continue.
The German Potato Trade Association (DKHV) recently held the inaugural session of its Potato Specialist Training Program in Uelzen. The event attracted 26 participants from various parts of Germany, ranging from apprentices to executives, who were eager to enhance their knowledge and skills in potato cultivation and trade. The second part of the training program will take place on November 11th and 12th in Bavaria.
