The old potato harvest can currently rejoice at good demand. “The cold weather was good for export. We can get rid of a fair amount for high prices,” Jan Westhoeve of the eponymous potato wholesaler’s from Ouddorp observes. “Four weeks ago we bought potatoes for eight cents, right now that is already ten cents more. I did not expect this market recovery either, or I would have had more in stock. Selling prices vary between 22 and 27 cents.”
“We now have to look for potatoes, for stocks are becoming exhausted, but fortunately we manage to find batches every day. Factories are currently not rejecting anything, so the larger part is going to industry. But batches will always remain available for consumption export until July. I think quality is still good. For example, we received red-skinned potatoes that are hard as bullets and of good quality.”
Westhoeve potatoes sells globally. “We are currently exporting many potatoes and onions to eastern Europe. Many potatoes go to Hungary and Romania, and the unmarketable sizes are mostly delivered to Poland. Additionally, every week about ten containers go to the Caribbean area,” Westhoeve sums up. “Contribution to speedy export is that import of, for example, Spanish potatoes is still a bit disappointing. I expect good demand for the coming weeks, because, traditionally, during Ramadan many potatoes are sold.”
Romain Cools, Belgapom
The possibilities of the export of consumption potatoes have been written and talked about the entire season already. According to Romain Cools of Belgapom, especially central Europe and the UK were often discussed. “The reality, however, was slightly different. During the entire season there was some export left and right, but certainly not of a nature to move the potato market. In fact, the demand from industry and the delay of the new harvest mostly seemed to trigger the market.”
“Currently some potatoes are exported to the UK each day for specific markets. This mostly concerns strains such as Markies. Poland mostly appears to be demanding Bintjes. Spain and Romania buy some extra, but smaller volumes. Africa is also starting to buy some, but the prices on the Belgian market are currently too high for them,” observes Cools.
Cools does not suppose that export will become the motor behind higher market prices, as some suggest. “Perhaps export will continue to support the market, but it is clear that market prices that are too high will also influence certain export opportunities. But we must not forget that we are already halfway through May.”
