News on Potato Stats, Trade, Prices from the Netherlands

According to this year’s agricultural census, the Netherlands has almost 529 thousand hectares of land devoted to arable farming. This is 1.8 thousand ha (0.3 percent) more than in the previous year.

It's a good season for import potatoes in the Netherlands. More people are cooking at home. That's undoubtedly contributing to this, as are the 'old' potatoes deteriorating quality.

There seems to be little hope for an imminent agreement between the EU and the UK on mutual trade in seed potatoes. If no agreement is reached, there is a good chance that the export of seed potatoes from EU countries to the UK will be resolutely closed on 1 July.

The sale of potatoes is not entirely disappointing at the moment, observes Felix Molenaar of potato and vegetable wholesaler Molenaar from Haarlem.

VerDi Import in the Netherlands has received their first Nicola potatoes. These arrived from Morocco at the beginning of the month.

Royal Cosun (parent of potato processor Aviko) closed 2020 with a slightly higher group result than in 2019. Aviko had an exceptionally turbulent year. Lockdowns exerted pressure on Aviko’s turnover in the foodservice channel, whereas other business groups benefited directly or indirectly from higher sales in the retail channel.

Until December 31, 2020 the North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG) was a 5 country organization, but the organization started 2021 without the British AHDB. Also, Victor Pfaff stepped down as NEPG secretary and is replaced by Daniel Ryckmans.

Dutch criminals are increasingly using exports to Africa to launder money which is subsequently invested in diamonds and gold from the continent, FIOD chief Bert Langerak has said.

Según Adrie Kleinjan, de la empresa holandesa Kleinjan's Aardappelhandel, el mercado de las patatas no pinta muy bien en este momento.

NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) is unsure of the current potato situation and does not expect major changes in the demand side of the market in the coming weeks.

During the half-yearly trading day of potato breeder HZPC Holding B.V., it appeared that the supply of certificates has increased again. The price of the certificate of share has been set at EUR 118,15.

The 2019/2020 financial year has been eventful in many respects for seed potato supplier HZPC. Despite the consequences of COVID-19, the company has had an operationally successful season. The coming season, however, may well be more of a challenge.

The North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) estimates that the area for consumption potatoes in North-Western Europe increased with 0,5% compared with last year and is estimated at 621,148 hectares.

Dutch Potato Starch Manufacturer Avebe recently announced the final campaign price of 76.50 euros per ton of potatoes to its members.

Last December, Agrico held its annual central members' meeting. The annual figures 2018/2019 were discussed in this well-attended meeting.

The value of the shares in HZPC Holding B.V., the world market leader in potato breeding, has been fixed at €145.80 during the recent stock trading day. This means the value of the certificate has once again decreased by the maximum (10%) that is allowed.

According to Felix Molenaar of the eponymous potato company from Haarlem, the Netherlands, the table potato market is very calm.

Según Felix Molenaar, de la empresa homónima de la localidad holandesa de Haarlem, el mercado de la patata de mesa se encuentra bastante tranquilo.