W12: Weekly Common & Sweet Potato Update
Europe
Western Europe Is Concerned About the Availability of Seed Potatoes
The trade organisation of potato producers in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France (NEPG) talks about the challenges potato growers are facing this season in a press release. The near-historically low stock of potatoes and high prices that producers are receiving, as the organisation points out, may encourage the expansion of acreage, but this is debatable. The threat of a seed potato shortage also exists. The amount of potatoes in the Netherlands' stockpiles is 13% less than it was the year before. This represents a decline of up to 20% from the five-year average. The processing industry's strong demand helps to maintain a positive outlook. Contract prices have also increased dramatically.
India
India which is the second-largest producer of potatoes in the world has witnessed a bumper crop in the November–February harvest. And this hasn't exactly made the farmers happy either because the oversupply has lowered prices and caused them to suffer losses. The use of higher-yield seed potatoes, which were frequently used for the first time and caught farmers off guard regarding their yield potential, is largely to blame for the overproduction. India’s annual potato production is in the range of 50-55MMT, and it stands in the No. 2 position after China in the table of the world’s largest potato producers. India’s potato-growing states include Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP), and West Bengal. So, when the new crop entered the market, the prices crashed from an expected INR 1,200 (USD 14.5) a quintal to as low as INR 500 (USD 6) a quintal, and in some cases even below that.
Bangladesh
Strong International Demand for Bangladeshi Potatoes
Potato exports from Bangladeshi farmers supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) continue to grow, as producers recently came together to celebrate another year of success. Bangladesh produced 11 MMT last year, making it Asia's third-largest producer after China and India, and it exported nearly 0.08 MMT of that total. The top three destinations for exported potatoes were Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Malaysia. Other countries that imported potatoes from Bangladesh included Myanmar, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Lebanon.
Netherlands
Seed Potatoes in a Pinch Due to High Contract Prices
The potato processing industry has significantly increased contract prices for the upcoming harvest year. According to NEPG, this is making necessary changes to potato cultivation in northwestern Europe. In particular, the area under seed potatoes could shrink significantly, which could affect the availability of seed potatoes in 2024. The stock of free potatoes still in the stables is relatively low. For example, according to the latest inventory by the VTA, empty stock in the Netherlands is 13% lower than last season and even 20% lower than the five-year average. Similar sounds are noted from other NEPG countries (Belgium, Germany, France). Processors have significantly increased their contract prices for the upcoming season in order to have more raw materials available for the upcoming season.
Significantly Larger Exports of Consumption Potatoes to Belgium From Netherlands
Strong demand from Belgium pushed total Dutch consumer and industrial potato exports to 91,314MT in February. This means that exports are slightly below his February 2009 and February 2013 export peaks. In addition to exports to Belgium, the Netherlands exported about 25,000MT to other EU member states.
Seed Potato Export of the Netherlands Is Increasing, Slightly Less Seed Potato to the EU
The latest export statistics from the Dutch potato organization NAO show that far more Dutch seeds are being exported than this time last year. A total of 536,957MT of seed tubers were exported by February. For comparison: 491,464MT in February 2022. An increase of 45,493MT. However, potato exports within the EU have decreased slightly. Dutch seed potato exports were 188,011MT at this point last year and 181,168MT this year.
Ireland
Intervention Needed to Prevent Mass Exodus of Donegal Potato Farmers
The agriculture sector needs urgent action to prevent a "mass exodus" of potato farmers, according to Donegal IFA Potato Chairman Donald Logue. The cost of production continues to rise, but this is pushing market prices for potatoes higher. It is not reflected and is forcing governments to take action. Logue pointed to rising costs of electricity, fertilizer and diesel, as well as rising costs of storing potatoes. According to him, recent inflation has risen from 16% to 20%, while potato prices have remained at 1-1.4%.
Kenya
Climate Change Causes Drop In Kenyan Potato Production
At least the crop that used to thrive in this sub-county, which accounts for more than 40% of its annual production of 2.5MMT of Nakuru, is declining at an alarming rate. This has resulted in the loss of livelihoods for the majority of families in the Moro subdistrict as they depend on potato cultivation as their main source of food and income. Climate change is real and impacting agriculture, crop cycles, and production of staple crops such as maize, potatoes, and peas in the Moro subregion. Unpredictable weather patterns threaten the livelihoods of thousands of people in this heavily agricultural region, making food insecure.
Peru
There Will Be Less Potatoes Due to a Lack of Rain, so Their Price Will Increase
Potatoes, one of the most consumed foods by Peruvians, will rise in price as the lack of rain in Puno will lead to shortages of these products. As a result of this problem, it is noted that potato and quinoa yields are declining. Again, it is important to note that the tubers and grains mentioned above are the products with the highest losses between August 2022 and February 2023.
8,400MT of Food Arrive at the Wholesale Markets in Lima
Earnings potato hit 880 MT, a 4.1% increase compared to the last four Mondays. According to the Midagri Supply and Price Information System “SISAP” report, product offerings in the wholesale market are observed as follows: B. Yungay white potatoes from 0.30 to 0.28 USD/kg; yellow sweet potatoes from 0.39 USD/kg. Plain potatoes 0.46-0.43 USD/kg.
Russia
Vegetables in Russia Continued to Fall in Price
Prices of fruits and vegetables in Russia fell by 0.4% from March 14, 2023, to March 20, 2023. Cabbage prices fell by 0.5%, potatoes by 0.3%, and beets by 0.1%, according to statistics. On March 23, the average wholesale price of potatoes was USD 0.18/kg. During W12, the price fell by 1.5%, and in the month by 13% (USD 0.026/kg). A year ago, the wholesale price of potatoes was USD 0.33/kg.
Top 7 Most Productive Varieties of Potatoes According to Russia’s Primorye Potato Growers
Primorye is the number one producer of potatoes in the Far East. In 2022, despite flooding, the farmer harvested more than 64,000MT of his potatoes, 103% YoY. The top seven include potato varieties such as Gala, Sante, Adretta, Rosara, Lily, Yantar and Kazachok. Farms in the area supply potatoes to 95% of the population. The missing amount is imported from Siberia in July-August, when the new crop has not yet been harvested in large numbers.
Canada
Prince Edward Island Potato Board Says It’s Filed for Judicial Review of Seed Potato Ban
The Potato Commission's request for judicial review of federal regulations banning the export of seed potatoes is expected to be heard in federal court later this week. The motion asks the court to reverse an ongoing government decision restricting shipments of P.E.I. After the end of 2021, we will ship seed potatoes to other markets. The ban was introduced after potato warts were found in some fields on the island.
Philippines
Free Potato Seed Distributed to Boost Philippines’ Potato Production
To increase potato production in the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture's 2nd Regional Office (DA-RFO 2) distributed potato seed tubers free of charge to farmers in Nueva Vizcaya. The initiative aims to provide farmers with quality seeds and encourage them to grow potatoes. Seed bulbs are imported from Canada and are certified disease-free.
South Korea
Potatoes are expensive even in April, 27-36% higher than normal
According to the Korea Rural Economic Research Institute (KRI), on May 26, wholesale potato prices are expected to rise from USD 53.84/20kg to USD 57.69/20kg next month. This is 4–12% higher than last April (USD 51.53), and 27–36% higher than the median (USD 42.50). The researchers predicted that a shortage of stored potatoes would lead to lower shipments and higher wholesale potato prices. The wholesale price of potatoes this month was USD 54.76/20kg, up 27% year-on-year and 34% year-on-year. In addition to the lack of stocks, some of the potatoes shipped this month were priced higher as cold temperatures during the growing season depressed prices.
