North Western European Potato Growers face a multitude of risks, disruptions in the industry expected in the near future
Fresh Common Potato
Netherlands
Published Jan 28, 2023
Tridge summary
In a press release issued today, the North Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) organization says lower yields per hectare (-6,3%) resulted in an overall production decline for its member countries (-5,3% or 1,2 million tonnes) this year, despite a rise of 2,9% in harvested area. Demand for potatoes is currently good, with processing factories throughout north-western Europe eager to buy potatoes while processing facilities are working at full capacity.
Original content
New or modernized processing lines and new factories (recently opened or to open during 4th quarter of this year) have contributed to historic high processing contract prices which have gone up by 30 to even 45 per cent in some cases. Processors in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands are said to be keen to acquire more raw material for the rest of the ongoing season and the 2023 – 2024 campaign. NEPG underscores the fact that potato growers in its member countries face multiple risks and these risks seem to increase each season. Apart from uncertain and fluctuating production acreage and free-buy prices, farmers now have to include a series of “new” risks to manage. Risks are now also linked to climate change, geopolitical (i.e. the war in Ukraine) and health events(i.e. the Covid 19 pandemic), access to water, and tighter EU regulations regarding fertilizer (mainly nitrogen, be it farm sourced or mineral) and pesticide use. On top of that, contracts terms are often ...
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