In Austria the potato harvest started this year with varying yields per hectare. As the old harvest, as far as quantity is concerned, is no longer of importance, the branch concentrate entirely on selling early potatoes. In all federal states harvesting has started. Whilst from Steiermark and Burgenland good yields of up to 25 tons/HA are reported up to now, the yields from Upper and Lower Austria are with 15 tons to 20 tons/Ha smaller, as mentioned by the Landbouwschap of Niederösterreich.
As far as growers prices are concerned there are differences between East and West Austria. In Oberösterreich the growers prices were at the beginning of last week still 45 euro/100 kgs. In Niederösterreich harvesting activities only started in earnest last week. Here prices of 35 to 40 euro/100 kgs were obtained. In Steiermark and Burgenland harvesting work has almost been completed. Prices of early potatoes were about 35 euro/100 kgs.
German imports
In Germany the trade has for the better part changed over to imported potatoes from the Mediterranean area. Supply is sufficient for the present demand. Early potatoes from Egypt and Israel have all just about been sold already. In Spain the potato cultivation has clearly been limited this year. In addition the potatoes suffered from the extreme weather conditions. That causes an even smaller supply and results in a higher price for the available potatoes. As the German early potatoes are not firm of peel as yet, supply is still limited to direct sales.