Kartoffeln News, 04/28/2023

The weather this week again ensures that the early potato sowing is not making any real headway. The producers in the Rhineland and in Belgium are making the fastest progress. This is particularly affecting the demand for processing potatoes. Belgian buyers in particular are active everywhere in order to buy free quantities and thus counteract an impending supply gap between the old and new harvest. Farmers, for whom the quality in the warehouse does not cause any problems, are reluctant to offer and sell their goods. The prospects of even higher prices sometimes make things difficult for buyers. The April contract on the EEX ended trading last week at 35.40 euros/dt. With relatively high turnover, the June contract increased by a significant EUR 1.30/dt today and is quoted at over EUR 40.80/dt. Belgapom raised its listing today to EUR 40.00 by a very significant EUR 5 per quintal. In Belgium, stocks of processing potatoes in warehouses have recently been very low. The Reka also increased its price quotations by 5 euros today.39.50 euros/dt are now reported for Fontane and Challenger, 40 euros/dt each can be achieved for Agria and Markies and Innovator is given as 41.00 euros/dt. Planting is already going better in France. Because the supply of stock goods is low, fries factories are apparently thinking about closing times and factory holidays. Everything is going as usual at the food market. The quotations have not changed. Imported goods and old-crop tubers from France are still well represented on the shelves, especially in southern Germany. Increasing demand from Eastern Europe is providing relief on the German market, and here and there peeling companies are coming back to the market with inquiries. The early potato plantings have not really picked up speed yet, but should overall extend the season of the last harvest. The French have started the first clearing of new potatoes for consumption. However, the quantities are still small.