The asparagus season is also the early potato season: As soon as the first domestic asparagus hit the market, the marketing window for small-caliber table potatoes from the Mediterranean region opens up as well. Despite logistical challenges and corresponding additional costs, the signs after the first shipments are predominantly positive, comments Christoph Dankers, co-managing director of the specialist marketing company Dankers Daltex Europe Ltd, based in Raesfeld.
"Our production site has partly had to cope with cooler weather," says Dankers, looking back on the start of the season. "The growing season was extended a bit further to compensate for that to some extent." More concerning, however, he says, are the freight rates, which remain at record highs. "Container freight rates have increased by 150%, and truck prices have also increased by 25-30%. On average, the additional cost per ton is around 100-150 euros. Meanwhile, our customers also have understanding for the current situation, especially since our competitors, for example from Israel, are struggling with the same issues."
Johannes and Christoph Dankers (r), together with their father, are running specialized import agency Dankers Daltex Europe Ltd.
Premium goods of grade 35-60
Despite the war, Egypt continues to ship early potatoes to Russia. It would not have been possible to accommodate the excess quantities that would otherwise have arisen in Western Europe because, according to Dankers, 
these are two completely different sales markets. "To Russia, mainly large calibers 40-70mm with lower quality standards are exported, while Western Europe predominantly prefers premium goods of the 35-60 grade. Every exporter knows that the Western European market would also not be receptive if any excess volumes arose in the wake of payment restrictions in Russia."
Right: Freshly harvested Isabelia potatoes from Egypt.
The first early potatoes arrived in Scandinavia before Christmas, and since mid-January the food retailers there have been ready to accept Egyptian goods. As in other years, the season is now also starting slowly in German food retailers from mid-March. The marketing window usually lasts until June - around the time of harvest in the Palatinate region. Parallel to the Egyptian product, mainly early potatoes from Cyprus and Israel are arriving on the German market. Dankers: "Reddish potatoes from Cyprus are generally reserved for the wholesale markets, while we focus on supplying the food retail sector throughout Germany. Israel is traditionally a tad more expensive compared to Egypt and of course also has to contend with the current cost increases. In general, Egypt continues to lead the German market."
Early potato field in Egypt
Good sales opportunities for organic early potatoes
Parallel to the trade in conventional early potatoes, Dankers Daltex Europe is also responsible for the distribution of Egyptian organic potatoes. "We continue to see a stable demand and good sales opportunities. From today's perspective, enough volume is available to meet the demand for organic goods," Dankers further predicts.
Balanced supply and demand
All in all, the team of the specialized company is relatively positive about the campaign. "Despite the aforementioned challenges, we are confident that we will be able to handle the programs accordingly. So far, we don't see any oversupplies."
Images: Dankers Daltex Europe GmbH
For more information:
Christoph Dankers
Dankers Daltex Europe GmbH
Leinenweberstraße 9
D-46348 Raesfeld
Tel. +49 2865 60 10 77
Fax +49 2865 60 10 44
[email protected]
dankers-daltex.de