Acreage predictions before the growing season had potato area in Europe falling, but growers have planted more than expected, a June 28 news release from the North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) said.
The total potato area within the NEPG zone has gone up in all four countries by two per cent to 507,300 hectares. This is 0.9 per cent higher than the five-year average. The release noted in late winter/early spring, the first estimations were that 2022 area would decrease, due to ever higher production costs.
There has been an acreage shift this year with some fresh market potato growers switching to chipping and crisping varieties.
The new crop is growing fast and developing well. The release said early potatoes are between one to two weeks earlier than normal with tuber counts lower than normal. There has also been some signs of senescence being noticed, specifically in places where less rain has fallen and higher temperatures have been recorded.
“Some main crop fields flowered earlier than usual, without closing the rows, which means that potential production could be on the lower side,” the release said.
The release noted irrigation hasn’t been being used in some cases due to high energy prices. Weather has been varying, but will influence final yield and quality.
“Many growers were hoping for an end of season with prices around 30 €/100 kg, but rain brought a stop to their hopes… For the last four weeks we have had a “weather market” which could still have an influence on prices of the old crop.”
Processors stopped buying old crop a few weeks ago, with some even selling contracts they didn’t need to other processors, the release said. New crop is starting to arrive on the market, but there is still some old crop left.
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