Kartoffeln News, 03/17/2023

On the EEX, the contract price for April 2023 is up again today. 26 contracts were traded up to noon, the last fixed rate was 29.50 euros/dt. Open interest continues to decrease shortly before the contract expires. The subsequent June contract continues to be ignored by market participants, which is untypical. On the spot markets for processed goods , the situation is unchanged everywhere. The number and quantity of potatoes traded is declining significantly and is mostly very rare. In Belgium in particular, which determined price developments at the beginning of the year, things have calmed down. Both Fiwap and Belgapom report unchanged prices and few sales. Interest in later deliveries has been reported occasionally. On the food market , especially in northern Germany, there is still a high volume of potatoes available. Especially in Lower Saxony there are still some unrefrigerated stocks that now have to be cleared. Nevertheless, these quantities are taken up by the market with stable prices. There are increasing reports of an increase in demand from Southern and Eastern Europe.The importers of early potatoes also seem to be acting more cautiously and only import what has been firmly ordered by the food retail trade. Storage worth mentioning will probably not take place here this year. The vast majority of market participants expect that the potatoes currently in storage can be marketed well into spring. However, there is uncertainty because of the asparagus season. Last year consumers were reluctant to buy asparagus and potatoes because of the suddenly sharp increase in the cost of living.