Western Europe is concerned about the availability of seed potatoes

The trade organization of potato producers in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France (NEPG) has issued a press release in which it writes about the challenges faced by potato producers this season. As the organization notes, the near-historical low stock of potatoes and high prices received by producers may encourage the expansion of acreage, but this is questionable. There is also the specter of a shortage of seed potatoes. There is widespread talk of low stocks, and according to the latest data, potato stocks in the Netherlands are 13 percent lower than last season. Compared to the five-year average, this is a decrease of up to 20%. Good demand from the processing industry keeps the overall sentiment positive. Contract prices have also increased significantly. If they persist, producers may decide to expand their acreage, especially since grain prices are not as satisfactory as initially thought. However, this is only a theory, because it is questionable how, for example, ...