Kartoffeln Cockpit, 25.05.2019

Europe-wide, the situation on the table potato market remains exciting. In Germany, the marketing of imported potatoes from Egypt and Israel is well advanced. The packers have almost completely marketed their supplies and now, for a short time, they have to resort to potatoes from Spain. The REKA Rheinland writes that there are currently logistics problems, so that the previously ordered contract potatoes do not always arrive on time. For smaller quantities from the free market, importers charge surcharges. Therefore, the framework conditions for the market entry of German new potatoes from the vendors' point of view are very good. Here too, the growth conditions are currently excellent. In Baden-Württemberg and the Palatinate last fell 40 to 90 liters per square meter of rain and there was no damage. Both regions sell their bags at prices of 21 - 26 € / 25 kg. From next week onwards, measures will be carried out. Since there was too little precipitation in Lower Saxony, is raining. In addition, it was much cooler here and the maturity of the potatoes is still coming. Water is also missing in the Rhineland, even though rainfall was measured regionally.Starting next week, you will start with the marketing of bagged goods and will ask for 23 € for the 25 kg bag. Since this extremely high price level could lead farmers to an uncontrolled offer, today precautionary measures are being called for supply discipline. The REKA writes to its members that undermining quoted prices can very quickly lead to an uncontrollable decline in prices. And there it goes on saying that the next time is a seller's market and this opportunity must be used. In fact, the first early potatoes from the region are considered by gourmets to be a special delicacy. In the Palatinate you can enjoy the "Grumbeere" directly from the pan with just a little salt and butter. There is also a Riesling wine, whose grapes have also grown there. The season opening for the early potato marketing is celebrated on the German Lower Rhine next Sunday by the Queen of Potatoes on a farm tour with plenty of press humor. Similarly, it will go in a few days in Lower Saxony. The last season opener in Europe traditionally takes place on June 24th at midsummer in Sweden. Then in this country are already offered the first Anschlustsorten.In Sweden, however, it was a long time too cold, just like in northern Germany, and this week Frost has seriously damaged the Swedish new potatoes. It can therefore be assumed that Sweden will soon be acting as a buyer in Lower Saxony. Because demand is already developing faster than supply, prices in this country continued to soar. For the first "Spaniards", importers are now demanding around 90 € / dt because the offer arrives with a delay of currently one week. This situation should not change so fast - we are probably even longer in a seller's market. Maybe even until the Swedes have to stock up on midsummer potatoes from Lower Saxony. Just as we do not eat our asparagus without new potatoes, in Stockholm we eat traditionally young potatoes with pickled herring at midsummer. A high price of potatoes does not change these traditions. The AMI has determined that, at least for Germany. Private households in Austria bought 8.5% more (expensive) potatoes in April than last year when prices were very low.The price in the sales outlets is now 53% higher than in April 2018. Conclusion: table potato prices are quite "price inelastic".