Potato Planting progress in North-western Europe

Potato Planting in North-Western Europe is well on its way.

The Potato Council Grower Panel Planting Survey estimates that c.63,000ha of the Great Britain crop was planted to 19 April. This estimate is up c.24,000ha on the same week in 2013 (39,000ha, 32% planted) and c.7,000ha less than at the same point in 2012 (c.70,000ha, 57% planted).

The latest from Phaff Export Marketing (as at w/e 18 April) reports that progress in the Netherlands has been strong with growers approaching the end of planting, having been operating in generally good conditions accompanied by some rain.

In Germany, planting is nearing completion, though in some areas conditions have been too dry requiring irrigation to be used.

Planting has also been moving along well in France, though there is further work still to be done and in Belgium three quarters of the crop is reported as being in the ground, with some awaiting warmer soil temperatures for their fresh sector crops.

According to the latest NEPG release, overall plantings are ahead of schedule. It is suggested that around 60% of the NEPG area had been planted by the middle of April.

With exception of some soils, including heavier lands which have been difficult to work, planting conditions have been good. A lack of rain in many of the producing regions has also been reported.