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The big question this time of year for the potato industry in Europe and North
America is: what will potato harvest 2009 bring?
Estimates for the total acreage of potatoes grown are now available for the main
European potato countries and the United States. The European area estimates
were published about two weeks ago by the North-western European Potato growers.
The figures on the United States were published last Friday by the USDA. The potato
acreage in Canada will be published this Friday by Stats Canada and we will
include these data in the upcoming PotatoPro Newsletter. Here is an overview:
| Main crop potatoes (excludes earlies, seed and starch;
NEPG) |
|
5 key
EU potato countries |
1000
ha |
1000
acres |
|
2009 |
2008 |
2009 |
2008 |
|
Germany |
161.6 |
160.0 |
399.3 |
395.4 |
|
France |
107.5 |
107.4 |
265.7 |
265.4 |
|
GB |
107.3 |
108.4 |
265.2 |
267.9 |
|
Netherlands |
72.8 |
70.0 |
179.8 |
172.9 |
|
Belgium |
55.6 |
50.6 |
137.4 |
125.0 |
|
Total |
504.8 |
496.3 |
1,247.4 |
1,226.4 |
Provisional estimates NEPG June 2009
| Fall Potato crop, area planted (NASS, USDA) |
|
United States |
1000
ha |
1000
acres |
|
2009 |
2008 |
2009 |
2008 |
|
Idaho |
129.5 |
123.4 |
320.0 |
305.0 |
|
Washington |
58.7 |
62.7 |
145.0 |
155.0 |
|
North Dakota |
32.4 |
33.2 |
80.0 |
82.0 |
|
Wisconsin |
25.7 |
25.7 |
63.5 |
63.5 |
|
Maine |
22.7 |
22.7 |
56.0 |
56.0 |
|
Minnesota |
18.2 |
17.4 |
45.0 |
43.0 |
|
Other States |
90.4 |
91.5 |
223.4 |
226.0 |
|
Total |
377.5 |
376.6 |
932.9 |
930.5 |
Crop Production, page 13 NASS, USDA
The 5 European Countries show an overall growth of the area of 1.7% compared to
last year, especially in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the United States
potato area planted grows in Idaho, shrinks in Washington and not much change
elsewhere, resulting in an overall increase of less than 0.3%.
Then of course there is yield. The sounds on yield in Europe are generally
positive, with dry soil conditions mentioned as one of the concerns.
 With a very wet season in many places in North America, there is a lot of
concern regarding the occurrence of diseases and in particular late blight.
The
fact that blight infected tomato plants have been distributed to consumers
by major chains
throughout much of the United States fuels these concerns. In Maine, special
measures had to be taken to
enable aerial spraying
against blight since potato farmers could not enter the wet fields. But it is still
relatively early in the season. A good overview of the possible
consequences of
the wet season and more importantly, what can be done to mitigate the potential
effects was written by researchers of the Idaho University and extension.
In the US there is also
uncertainty and concern on how much potatoes are still
in storage. In Europe, such concerns do not seem to exist. In the UK, the French
fry processors have switched to the new crop earlier than normal and new crop
(from Germany) is also being processed in Belgium.
Finally, this year’s additional unknown is the effects of the economic
situation. We have addressed this already in several previous newsletters (Retail
frozen potato products,
Foodservice frozen
potato products,
Potato Dehy,
savoury snacks ).
It seems processing has continued full speed in most European countries in
recent months.
 Certainly, the overall result will not be as volatile as we saw this year in
India, where
potato prices skyrocketed earlier in the season and potato shortages may
even force
small chip companies to temporarily halt production. In the Indian
state West Bengal
the
government started to sell potatoes in an attempt to
push the market price of potatoes down. As of yesterday West Bengal also included the
potato legislation that specifies the quantities traders can keep stock in
an attempt to prevent hoarding.
Time will tell…
Enjoy reading,
Paul van Eijck
Pests and Diseases of Potatoes - A Colour Handbook
 The Colour Handbook provides a practical reference for professionals and
students involved with potato production, handling and storage worldwide. The
text is illustrated with some 235 superb colour photographs of affected crops to
aid in the rapid and accurate identification of disease.
Now offered at a reduced price!
Read more...
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