Potato sales gradually picked up pace with the arrival of the first asparagus. Domestic stored potatoes consistently dominated the market and usually continued to impress in terms of quality. Some varieties had sporadically withdrawn from marketing. According to BLE, price changes were the exception. French offerings, and in Frankfurt, Dutch and Italian propositions, complemented the scene at their previous valuations. The supply of early potatoes expanded in most places. Only in Hamburg were imports from the south still scarce. Interest was mixed: while transactions in Frankfurt were sluggish, purchases in Munich and Berlin were brisk, sometimes at increased rates.
NRW:
There was little change in the table potato market. Demand in the retail sector is steady, with a continuous and sufficient supply. In the industrial potato market, the main quotations in Western European producing countries remain stable at the reached level.
Schleswig-Holstein:
The weather has allowed for the commencement of initial fieldwork. Planting under cover has started. Wholesale prices remain at the recently elevated levels. Despite a barely sufficient supply, producers were unable to push for further price increases. Difficult harvesting and storage conditions continue to pose problems. Sorting out remains high, with significant quality differences in the offered goods. Premium products remain very scarce, fetching the higher price range. With Easter approaching and the asparagus season underway, an increase in demand is expected. Demand remains strong both nationally and in exports, though higher prices are currently difficult to enforce.
Rheinland-Pfalz:
The market for table potatoes from the 2023 harvest is quickly drawing to a close. With a rather quiet overall turnover in the retail sector, promotional goods are being sold, but other origins falter during ongoing promotions, so that hardly any additional quantities are traded. Producer prices remain firm. Any remaining stock is likely fully allocated.
Niedersachsen:
"Overall, the goal should be to plant the available seed material, whether standard or special sorting, cut or not, under the most optimal conditions possible to lay the foundation for a successful 2024 season," said Andreas Meyer, head of the Dethlingen trial station.
Bayern:
Weather-wise, 2023 posed a real challenge. The climate will not make it any easier for potato farmers in the future, as discussed at the general meeting of the "Fachgruppe Qualitätskartoffel Schwaben" of the Plant Cultivation Producers' Association of Southern Bavaria in Dasing. "Particularly due to farm closures, the number of members in the producers' association has dropped by around 400". This trend in agriculture will lead to fewer farms but more acreage per company. As the second-largest cultivation area after Lower Saxony, Bavarian potato farmers continue to contribute a significant portion of the national tuber harvest: in 2022, according to Schmeller, this amounted to almost 340,000 tons in Southern Bavaria alone for table and processing potatoes.
Hessen:
In the state of Hessen, there have been no price changes compared to the previous week.