The Dutch potato market is currently not enjoying much demand. "Spain is showing some interest in Agrias, but beyond that, the market's dead quiet. Potatoes are quite expensive, so we now face competition with local offerings," says Kristian Verhagen of Verhagen Holland in the Netherlands.
Kristian and Johan Verhagen
"People still need potatoes, though, so growers keep the prices firm, selling them for €0.35-€0.40. That's high for the current quality. And unlike onions, there's little movement in that price. Over the past two to three weeks, there have been minimal export inquiries for potatoes, and Spain is looking more toward French and local potatoes."
"So far, sales have been decent, but the coming months will be challenging until the new harvest," explains Kristian. "There will soon be more imported potatoes on the market, but those, too, have to deal with domestic demand."
Will enough high-quality potatoes be left until the start of the new season? "There should be for ware potatoes, but not for the rest. This year's quality simply isn't up to par. You always expect damage or greenness, but this year, the industrial varieties' main issue is hollowness. It's no different in countries like Belgium, France, and Germany. The industry is now buying more table varieties despite them being less suitable for frying," Kristian concludes.
For more information:
Kristian Verhagen
Verhagen Holland
47 Havenweg
4671 BT, Dinteloord, The Netherlands
Mob.: +31 (0) 634 528 836
[email protected]
www.verhagenholland.nl