The marketing of potatoes from the previous harvest is currently in its absolutely final phase. "Our warehouses are largely cleared, about three to four weeks earlier than usual. We will not be able to offer early potatoes in relevant quantities until mid-July. Accordingly, we are currently observing a supply gap with correspondingly high prices. French fries are being snatched right out of our hands," says Hans-Bernd Hahlen, managing director of Uedemer-Kartoffel-Vertrieb GmbH.
The tight supply situation is also reflected in the retail prices. In the French fries sector, quotations are currently over 50 euros/100 kg. Hahlen: "In the edible sector, we have struggled for a long time, but there have also been several price jumps in this sector recently, which is why we are now at a level between 40-45 euros/100 kg. Peeled goods are also marketed at a high price, with prices around 30-40 euros/100 kg." In addition, edibles tend to be difficult to place in the French fry sector, the potato merchant emphasizes.
View of the company's headquarters in Uedem in the Lower Rhine region
Although the first early French fries potatoes can only be harvested relatively late this year, this segment is tending to gain in importance, according to Hahlen. "Due to good contracts, more has been planted in recent years. You can see that in the overall volume. The importance of early table potatoes, on the other hand, is negligible for our company, which is partly due to the fact that many farmers do not deliver their goods via intermediaries, but directly."
Hans-Bernd Hahlen
Stable area development
Furthermore, Hahlen points to the stable development in the Uedem area. "Where potatoes can be grown with a consideration of crop rotation, it is done. Despite area expansions in cereals and onions, we observe a stabilization of regional potato cultivation. Even inflation and higher labor costs could be absorbed by the high market prices. It's just interesting to see how the market will develop once prices start trending down again."
Further information:
Hans-Bernd Hahlen
Uedemer-Kartoffel-Vertrieb GmbH
Mühlenstraße 46
47589 Uedem
Tel. +49(0)28 25 / 501
Fax +49(0)28 25 / 503
Mobil 49+(0)162 / 2000
[email protected]
www.hahlen-uedem.de