Potato Review

34 POTATO REVIEW NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Organisations report extensive losses FRANCE’S potato harvests in July and September were ‘catastrophic’ according to the National Union of Potato Producers (UNPT). The organisation estimated that nearly 1.5 million tons could be lost on French soil, a decrease of around 20% or more compared to the average of the past 20 years. The country has experienced four heatwaves and a drought since the beginning of the year, the UNPT states in a report by The Daily Express. Geo roy d’Evry, a farmer in the Oise region and president of the UNPT told the newspaper: “In the memory of any potato grower in the north of France, we have never experienced a situation like this.” The country’s National Federation of Vegetable Growers has also estimated losses of between 25% and 35% in the production and yield of vegetables. President Jacques Rouchaussé said planting in some areas had been postponed to prevent see burning because of the heat. Market takes a hit from lower yields THE potato market in France is likely to take a big hit this year having su ered the lowest harvests seen in decades. Heat and drought have taken their toll on the country’s growers and producers say there are fears production costs may not be covered by the yields. National Interprofessional Potato Committee, CNIPT, stated in its recent bulletin that exports are being directed to regular customers, mainly in Southern and Eastern Europe, while recognising that droughts have also impacted on other countries’ production. It advised that suppliers a ected by growers’ smaller yields should look “outside their borders” to boost their supplies and mitigate the price increase triggered by a potential decrease in harvests. Buying more products in the free market could also compensate for the envisaged decrease, especially if demand increases, the organisation added. in the volumes committed in the contracts, especially if the demand increases. The CNIPT has called for price indicators along the supply chain. Variety days POTATO Variety Days 2022 were due to take place in the Netherlands from November 9th to 11th, where trading and breeding companies presented their new varieties to existing and potential clients. Those exhibiting included Agrico, Danspro, HZPC, Interseed, Meijer and Schaap Holland. BalticFire makes its entrance RED-skinned potatoes being introduced to the Dutch market are scab-resistant and require less nitrogen than many common varieties, according to a trading company. Baltic Fire potatoes are yellow-fleshed and are being introduced to the market by 3 Point Potatoes, the sole grower of the variety in the Netherlands. Price variations seen THE producer prices of potatoes have changed across major potatoes production regions in Saudi Arabia. A kilogram of Saudi Arabia Potatoes is now around US $2.11 in Riyadh and Jeddah, packed and ready for export. Market prices for Saudi Arabia potatoes have varied across the past five years, and the current approximate price range for Saudi Arabia Potatoes is between US$ 1.04 and US$ 0.76 per kilogram or between US$ 0.47 and US$ 0.34 per pound(lb). The price in Saudi Riyal is SAR 3.92 per kg. The average price for a tonne is US$ 1044.3 in Jeddah and Riyadh. Quiet but satisfactorymarket AVAILABILITY of domestic potatoes expanded locally in Germany. The share of new floury-cooking batches increased in some places. Supply and demand were mostly in line with each other. In northern Germany, crop volumes are expected to be lower than last year. Smaller volumes, highquality 2022 has been challenging for growers. Several heat waves have meant conventional potato yields in 2022 are about 10% lower than the average of the past five years. Compared to the wet previous year, however, yields are still a good 10% higher. In organic potatoes, above-average yields were achieved this year.