Netherlands: Higher potato prices for consumers and growers

Fresh Common Potato

Netherlands

Published Nov 6, 2021

Tridge summary

The consumer price index of potatoes in July 2021 reached 134 points (2015=100). That is 13% higher than in May, but still 6% lower than in July last year. The ex-farm price fell very sharply last year, but reached 108 points in July, 36% higher than in the same month last year. Price developmentFrom the start of the 2019 harvest season, consumer prices showed a downward trend until March 2020.

Original content

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the demand for fresh potatoes and potato products in the store increased, leading to higher prices until the new harvest season in 2020 After that, consumer prices fell, but they will rise from May this year. The potato price ex-farm was considerably lower in the 2019/2020 season than in the 2018/2019 dry season. In September 2019, the index was 116 points. Combined with continued good demand, potato prices rose to 123 points in February 2020. However, from March to May, the price dropped to a low of 56 points due to the corona crisis. Catering and fast food restaurants were closed worldwide to prevent corona infections. The global demand for frozen chips fell sharply and Dutch French fries export collapsed. The potato processing industry processed considerably fewer chips potatoes. Unsaleable stocks due to this drop in demand caused grower prices to drop very sharply for the rest of this season. For non-contracted potatoes, growers could request ...

Source: AGF