The French Potato Producers' Union (UNPT) has presented its initial forecasts for French ware potato yields in 2024.
"Despite a campaign marked by major weather and health challenges, as well as a complicated supply of seed potatoes, the outlook for production and value seems balanced. This situation should make it possible to consolidate the sector's development for the next marketing year, 2025/2026," according to the UNPT press release.
"A year of extremes"
"Despite the one-month delay in planting and the increased pressure of fungal diseases, particularly mildew, due to exceptionally humid weather, UNPT's initial modeling and studies anticipate a national average yield of 45.5 tons per hectare, marked by unprecedented heterogeneity according to variety, planting date and region. This yield, yet to be confirmed, is in line with the ten-year average and should be sufficient to meet the growing demand from the various outlets and markets for French potatoes throughout the 2024/2025 campaign. The final quality of the harvest (washability, dry matter, size) looks rather good at this stage but has yet to be assessed. Growers must give priority to this criterion, which will be the marker of good value for their production this year.
Outlook for the sector and the market: strengthening stability without compromising the future
Regarding the demand, the trend remains positive on the French, European and world markets. Against this backdrop, prices must remain competitive to enable potato growers to meet the sector's growing needs over the medium and long term. This development cannot be achieved without taking serious account of the cost of the "risk factor", accentuated by climate change and by the weight of the investment required to meet new social and market demands, particularly in terms of agro-ecological transitions. More than ever, French potato production needs to strengthen its capacity for resilience in the face of major challenges, while maintaining its competitiveness in a sustainably profitable market.
For more information: unpt.fr
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