Kartoffeln Cockpit, 08.02.2019

In Lower Saxony, by far the largest potato country in Germany with a harvest share of 47%, the farmers had only 1.4 million tons in stock on 31.12.2018. That's 43% less than a year ago. The sales from there are thus already much further advanced than in other federal states. In Bavaria, 24% less and in North Rhine-Westphalia 17% fewer potatoes were stored in the barns of the farmers. If potato processors want to keep their product output as high as before, they will need 1.9 million tonnes. That hardly seems possible under the current situation. After all, the processors in our neighboring countries are also vying for the scarce raw material. For seed we need 500,000 tons in Germany in the second half of the season and 600,000 tons for the consumption of fresh potatoes. On average, over the past six years, 700,000 tonnes of potatoes have been exported annually. The amounts for smaller peeling operations and the loss in storage and processing have been trying to keep them as small as possible since the harvest.Imports of raw materials for the production of fine potato products will probably not happen until the end of the marketing season. At best, France can close some gaps in the fresh potato market. In addition, there is also a shortage of seedlings. Farmers are in a particularly unfortunate situation here because the potato processors hold the seeds in their hands and only send them out to farmers who want to conclude a cultivation and supply contract with them again. Although they have raised prices by 10 to 30% for contract cultivation, the means of production such as seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides and energy have also become more expensive, which would hardly affect profit. Most contract farmers can only dream of profit this financial year, because the fixed prices pay off only if the yields are optimal and this was hardly the case anywhere in 2018. So farmers are still hesitating to sign supply contracts for the 2019 harvest.And not just for the reasons mentioned, because the heat and drought in 2018 dragged on the water supplies, which are still as low as in 10 years, not more. Without rain in the next two months, according to a NEPG representative, water resources are scarce in many regions of Europe, making potato cultivation too risky. However, if it rains so much in the next two months that the groundwater supply is sufficient again, many farmers are likely to face a problem sowing potatoes. How to turn it and turn, the risks remain for the time being at the farmer. And that should translate into higher prices. For now, however, the competition for the scarce raw material potatoes continues. The PotatoCall reports today that buyers from mainland Europe are now also driving up potato prices from the island. Exportable lots go to Belgium from 26 to 28,50 € / dt from the loading station. An untypical path for the potatoes, because in the winter the British usually buy their potatoes and potato products on the continent. Potatoes are also scarce in other parts of the world.Farmers in Manitoba, Canada, had a very large crop that could only be salvaged with great difficulty. There was too much rain during the harvest, and soon it was frozen. More than 5,000 acres could not be harvested. Wherever it was harvested, many lots do not stick because the storage potatoes rot.