Although potato prices in Europe are higher now than they were at this time a year ago, the continent's potato growers are reluctant to sell large amounts of their stocks. The reason is that, although the market is currently very favorable, they believe prices will be even higher in the future.
“The producers aren't selling because they think the market will continue to go up,” said Sylvie Culiez of Groupe Wecxsteen in France. Sylvie's firm sells the majority of its potatoes on the export market. High domestic prices make it tough to export product, though export prices are still very good. But despite good demand, producers are still hesitant to sell right now.
“Countries like Slovakia and the Czech Republic are not in the market right now,” she added, “but our main markets, like Spain, Italy and Portugal, are all asking for product.” Groupe Wecxsteen carries a full line of all potato varieties, so the reason it can't supply as much product as its customers want is not because it doesn't carry the preferred varieties. It comes down to producers not releasing as much product. But Sylive thinks that will change after the first week in February, after the annual Fruit Logistica conference in Berlin, and prices will come down accordingly.
“The French season starts in October and usually goes through late-June,” noted Sylvie. “But this year I doubt we'll have potatoes into June because there will be so many sales.”
