Despite unstable weather conditions, the farms of the Bio Kartoffel Erzeuger e.V. (BKE) started this year's main potato harvest at the end of August. BKE Managing Director Josephine Hardt gives an initial outlook on the harvest.
High proportion of small tubers reduces raw material yields
"In Bavaria, harvesting work has been repeatedly interrupted by heavy rainfall over the past few days. In the other federal states, farms are gradually starting to harvest the firm-skinned produce. "We will need all the organic potatoes to supply the market. Our member farms are therefore currently ensuring optimal storage in order to be able to supply a high-quality and flavourful organic product in the coming months," says Hardt, summarising the situation. "Many stocks were weakened this year due to the unusually early blight pressure. Recurrent rainfall and a rather mild climate in summer created persistently good infection conditions for the fungus," says Josephine Hardt, explaining this year's vegetation. As a result, a high proportion of small tubers is now reducing yield expectations on farms nationwide.
BKE Managing Director Josephine Hardt
Smaller produce for organic onions
"A good 55% of the organic onion area is now organised in the BKE, so we have a good overview of the nationwide stocks. Especially in the south and the western federal states, member companies are reporting rather small lots. This is mainly due to the early infestation with downy mildew," reports Josephine Hardt. According to the association's managing director, adjusting the accepted grades in the organic onion sector could be a way to increase the safety of raw materials. "In addition, we have seen a considerable amount of extra work in chopping the stocks this season, which has increased production costs enormously. We need a clear reward for the high cultivation risk and rising costs in order to further develop organic onion cultivation in a sustainable way," Hardt continues.
Insight into the potato harvest / Image: Dirk Hunger
Yield analyses expected at the beginning of October
As harvesting work progresses, the association will have comprehensive data on this year's harvest volumes from the approximately 250 member farms. "Based on these figures, we will be able to analyse the quantities and qualities of this year's organic potato and onion harvest in detail," says Josephine Hardt, describing the outlook for the coming weeks. Until then, the harvesting and storage work on the farms will continue with the utmost care so that the BKE farmers can ensure the best possible supply to the market this season.
Further information:
Josephine Hardt
Bio Kartoffel Erzeuger e.V.
[email protected]
www.bke-verein.de