Potential oversupply and disruption to potato trade flows are among the challenges facing European potatoes this season, according to the North-western European Potato Growers association (NEPG).
In a statement, the NEPG pointed to a 6.5% increase in potato area in Europe’s top five potato-producing countries over the past few years in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and the UK.
With this increase in potato area, if yields are on par with average this year, then this could tip the balance between demand and supply and could lead to price pressure for growers.
CIPC and Diquat
In its statement, the NEPG questioned how the new restrictions placed on European growers this year will affect the cost of production.
The loss of the potato desiccant Diquat, for example, may lead to higher investment and haulm destruction costs for growers.
With the anti-sprouting active CIPC no longer permitted for use, this season will likely be a challenge both technically and financially for growers who store their potatoes.
The organisation expects that the loss of CIPC may lead to increased supplies of potatoes on the market in the autumn, as many growers are not aware of the alternatives for the active to allow long-term storage. The risk of potato quantity and/or quality being lost is particularly high, it stated.
Read more
Terrachem to distribute Alltech’s biostimulant and crop nutrition range
Potatoes are bought every one second in Irish retailers
Loss of diquat poses a huge challenge for the potato industry
Potential oversupply and disruption to potato trade flows are among the challenges facing European potatoes this season, according to the North-western European Potato Growers association (NEPG).
In a statement, the NEPG pointed to a 6.5% increase in potato area in Europe’s top five potato-producing countries over the past few years in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and the UK.
With this increase in potato area, if yields are on par with average this year, then this could tip the balance between demand and supply and could lead to price pressure for growers.
CIPC and Diquat
In its statement, the NEPG questioned how the new restrictions placed on European growers this year will affect the cost of production.
The loss of the potato desiccant Diquat, for example, may lead to higher investment and haulm destruction costs for growers.
With the anti-sprouting active CIPC no longer permitted for use, this season will likely be a challenge both technically and financially for growers who store their potatoes.
The organisation expects that the loss of CIPC may lead to increased supplies of potatoes on the market in the autumn, as many growers are not aware of the alternatives for the active to allow long-term storage. The risk of potato quantity and/or quality being lost is particularly high, it stated.
Read more
Terrachem to distribute Alltech’s biostimulant and crop nutrition range
Potatoes are bought every one second in Irish retailers
Loss of diquat poses a huge challenge for the potato industry
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