In W21 in the potato landscape, the shortage of global potatoes is caused by strong demand and insufficient supply, and Egypt is the ideal source of potatoes for Europe. Demand for processed potatoes and French fries continues to increase YoY, with prices reaching record levels in 2023. EU plants usually cover the demand of potatoes locally, but due to weather conditions and new nitrogen regulations, production in the EU is already insufficient. European prices of Egyptian potatoes are reaching record levels, with the average FOB price in Belgium being between USD 426.91/T and USD 480.27/T (EUR 400/T and 450/T), France at USD 597.67/T (EUR 560/T), and Spain at USD 747.09/T (EUR 700/T). The quality of the potatoes from Egyptian growers is excellent, and exports from Egypt to EU countries are subject to special regulations to ensure they meet European standards. The Netherlands exported 62KT of consumption and industrial potatoes to its southern neighbors in April 2023, indicating a special year for Belgium. There are new factories and processing lines of potatoes in Belgium to meet the growing demand for potato products. The Belgians are buying 25KT more than usual due to a meager harvest and an increasing demand from the industry.
The North-western European Potato Growers, NEPG, reported that stricter regulations for plant protection products may be a reason for arable farmers to grow fewer seed potatoes. The Dutch seed potato sector is not dependent on one harvest year, and the NAK expects that the area for seed potato cultivation in the Netherlands will decrease by 3-5% in 2023 compared to 2022. Seed potato growers must submit a declaration to the NA no later than May 30, 2023. Potato chip shops in North Wales suffered from potato shortages and price increases due to the unusually dry summer and wet winter seasons. Chip shop owners hope that potato prices will drop at the end of July or August, but if they don't, chip shops may not survive. Ukraine is introducing a national standard for edible potatoes, DSTU 9221:2023, which will be available on June 1, 2023. It includes the basic norms and characteristics of potatoes, the content of toxic elements, and requirements for calibration. It also applies to food potatoes of botanical varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) and its hybrids of different ripening periods. Ireland plans to distribute planting potatoes among the most vulnerable agricultural farms of Ukraine, primarily in small villages on the front line.
In Spain, the Andalusian early new potato harvest campaign began in May 2023, resulting in a 35% reduction in production. This has caused a high demand in Europe and the national market, leading to high prices, but not guaranteeing a good result for farmers. Further, Marco Román, president of the Asociafruit potato sector, points out that extra early potatoes from southern Spain will be delayed due to frosts and forced sowing. Additionally, farmers are moving the sowing date to August and September for a harvest from December to February. Román believes that Spain can offer a seasonal product of the highest quality, but the challenge is to recover its presence in the European markets and develop quality seeds.
Potato prices in Georgia are unlikely to rise due to a transitional period in May 2023. However, the prices may only increase when the previous harvest has a low supply before the new crop reaches the market. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell urged the Biden Administration to prioritize fresh potatoes as it prepares to negotiate a trade deal with Japan. U.S.-grown potatoes were in low supply in 2022 due to lower yields and high prices. The P.E.I. Potato Board has reported that the acreage of cover crops grown before potatoes doubled in Prince Edward Island, Canada due to potato growers turning to cover crops to make their soil healthier and generate extra cash. Lastly, researchers at China’s Inner Mongolia Agricultural University have created antiviral defenses by modifying both viral and plant-derived genes in potatoes. It will aid in the prevention of viral illnesses, which can result in losses and harm.
