The potato sector in the Netherlands and Belgium is grappling with the financial and logistical impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Mathieu Vrancken and Hendrik Jan ten Cate, directors of LTO Akkerbouw, express concerns over the future of the industry, with particular focus on the potential loss of the free potato sales season and the need for adjustments in acreage to balance the market. They warn of possible lower contract prices, emphasizing the importance of fair contract negotiations and the passage of rising production costs within the chain. The directors also highlight the challenges posed by the ban on Chlorine IPC for long-term storage and the need for alternative, costlier sprout inhibitors, which have increased storage costs and may result in a significant increase in the cost price per 100 kilos of potatoes.