W11: Weekly Common & Sweet Potato Update
Canada
Canada Has Increased by 1.7% Potatoes in Storage
As of March 1, 2023, total Canadian potato storage was nearly 6% above the 3-year average and was only slightly up 1.7% YoY. The number of potatoes taken out of storage in February 2023 was 10.1M cwt (505,000MT), which was less than the previous month's totals, 11% less than February 2022, but still 22% greater than pre-harvest totals (harvest 2019). With the exception of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, where they remained at the same level as in January, potato exports decreased in all provinces in February.
No Potato Wart Detected in Canada
After completing its 2022 nationwide survey for potato wart, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) can confirm that no potato wart was found in the soil samples analysed from the fields where the samples were gathered. Fields in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia were included in the survey. Almost 1500 soil samples from seed potato farms were collected and tested as part of the nationwide assessment for potato wart. Farms that have previously sourced seed potatoes from Prince Edward Island made up one of the selection criteria (PEI).
France
Regulations for the Introduction of Batches of Potatoes in France
In France, any import of seed potatoes from foreign countries other than Switzerland is prohibited in all Member States of the European Union. As long as the requirements of European rules are followed, the movement of potatoes (plants, consumption, and processing) between Member States of the European Union is possible. Nonetheless, there are legal restrictions on the introduction of plants from Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Poland into France (ministerial decree of January 3, 2005).
India
Despite Highest-Ever Potato Production, Punjab Farmers Earn Less Than Half of Last Year’s Price
3.16MMT of potatoes were produced in Punjab this season, which is around 105,000 MT more than in 2022. The area under cultivation did not grow considerably, but productivity has been increasing steadily each year. The rate for the crop is currently ranging between USD 5.47 and 6.08 per quintal, compared to USD 14.60 to 21.90 per quintal last year, depending on the variety of potatoes, despite being the highest-ever crop.
As of March 8, in Kolkata, due to a sharp increase in potato production across major growing regions, potato prices have currently fallen by around 50%. Currently, potato prices are more closely tracking this year's production costs. Presently, the average price per quintal is between USD 9.12 and 9.73, compared to USD 17.03 and 19.46 in 2022. The farmer's average cost of production is between USD 9.12-9.73 per quintal.
Punjab Potato Growers Face Losses, Urge Government Assistance Amid Low Prices
Due to a sharp drop in the selling price of their goods, potato farmers in Punjab, India, are suffering severe losses. Instead of the previous year's rate of Rs 17–18/kg (USD 0.22/kg), they are only earning Rs 4–4.50/kg (USD 0.05/kg) in 2023. The big crop in other potato-growing regions has caused an oversupply and decreased demand for Punjab's potatoes, which is to blame for the price collapse.
Russia
8% Of Agricultural Land in Khmelnytskyi Was Planned for Vegetables and Potatoes
In March, farmers in the Khmelnytskyi area intend to launch a sowing business. More than 850,000 hectares of spring crops, including 300,000 hectares of spring grains, more than 440,000 hectares of technical crops, and 110,000 hectares of potatoes, vegetables and fodder crops.
Ireland
Irish Potatoes Continue to Be Exported to Portugal and the Netherlands
W11's colder weather increased the demand for peeling material, along with reports of high prices. Every field project has been put on hold due to the weather. There is a high demand for more Irish stock, and potato exports from Ireland to Portugal and the Netherlands are still going strong. Although there is still a demand from Eastern Europe in the UK, growers there are now requesting higher prices. This week, buyers for the Spanish mainland also submitted applications. Europe's export prices are gradually rising, and this week, markets in Spain and Portugal are anticipated to be a little stronger.
Many Potato Farms Are Facing Closure
If packers and retailers don't give their farmer suppliers higher returns, many potato farmers "will be forced out of business," the Irish Farmers' Association has warned. Tim Cullinan, president of the IFA, stated that due to the high costs of land rental, fertilizer, fuel, and storage, commercial potato farming is "simply not viable" in 2023. The outlook for potato farmers is at an all-time low, and if urgent action is not taken, it risks a similar exodus to that of the vegetable industry.
Minister opens USD 3.39M investment aid scheme for seed and chipping potato sector
Earlier today, Charlie McConalogue, Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, announced the launch of the 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato and Chipping Potato Sector. In addition to offering assistance to the seed potato industry, the program was expanded in 2023 to include Irish chip potato growers. The 2023 Scheme, which will cost USD 3.39M in 2023, will help build capacity within the Irish seed and chipping potato industries and will support infrastructure improvements for seed and chipping potatoes in the areas of production, storage, and marketing by way of grants.
Serbia
Increase in Exports of Greens and Fall in Exports of Potatoes, Results of December 2022 in Serbia
The final month of 2022 in Serbia's export of fruits and vegetables was marked by several occasions at once. For Serbian exporters of nuts and potatoes, December ended up being a rather unfavorable month. Domestic potato exporters were disappointed in December 2022 due to a decline in sales of tubers to foreign markets that has been observed for a long period of time, and the last month of the year was no exception.
Brazil
Potato, Onion and Tomato Prices Fall In Ceasas
According to data from the National Supply Company, February saw a decrease in the cost of potatoes, onions, and tomatoes in the majority of Supply Centers (Ceasas) across the entire country. Prices for potatoes, which saw constant increases from September 22 to January 2023, decreased in the majority of Ceasas in February, except in Brasília, where they registered an increase of 6.69%.
Austria
Austrian Onion Market Remains Tense in Terms of Prices
On the sales front, there haven't been any notable changes either. Given the comparatively high domestic price level and the continued low level of domestic demand, exports continue to be of secondary importance. Since W10, producer costs have remained unchanged. There were only a few isolated price increases for storage in the instance of the chilled product. Prices for potatoes in Lower Austria at the start of W11 were typically USD 32.66-34.83/100 kg. Additionally, lots with above-average grading had reduced prices. In Upper Austria, rates up to USD 34.83/100 kg remained constant.
