"According to the Union Nationale des Producteurs de Pommes de Terre (UNPT) grower panel surveyed in May and June 2024 in the main production regions (Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Picardie, Centre-Val de Loire, Haute Normandie and Champagne-Ardenne) and backed up by Agreste estimates for the other basins, ware potato plantings (fresh and industrial) are expected to reach 170,244 ha in 2024, compared to 158,677 ha in 2023, representing a 7.3% increase in surface area (11,567 ha)", note the two organizations. This dynamic can be explained "in part" by French and European industrial demand, which is growing strongly for the 3rd year running.
Increase in surface area for traditional growers and influx of new growers
According to the study, surface areas have increased among "established" growers, especially due to the influx of new growers in traditional production basins. These are mainly linked to industrial contracts. "We estimate the number of new growers at 300", explains the UNPT, adding that these estimates will have to be confirmed at the end of September.
In detail, the biggest increases in surface area have been concentrated in the Hauts-de-France region (8,499 ha), which remains the country's leading producer of ware potatoes, with almost 64% of French surface area.
New varieties to compensate for low plant availability
While acreage is on the rise, reflecting, among other things, the needs of the industry, a steady expansion of the varietal range has been recorded, due to the low availability of "classic" seed potatoes. "Many new varieties were offered to growers this year due to a lack of availability of varietal material", explains the UNPT.
However, unlike in 2023, this increase has not been at the expense of areas used for seed and starch production (also rising). However, "it is too early to forecast production prospects at this stage, as conditions at the start of the campaign have been challenging", notably due to excessive rainfall delaying planting, lower planting density, heterogeneous emergence, and heavy mildew pressure.
"The degree of uncertainty is therefore high this year"
However, the two organizations warn that, as the study was completed at the beginning of June, it does not fully take into account the impact of planting delays and the exhaustive progress made by the influx of new growers. "The degree of uncertainty is therefore high this year. It could result in greater variability than usual in terms of national surface areas. As in previous years, summer weather conditions will be decisive, and yield will make all the difference. The results of plot sampling carried out by UNPT, in partnership with CNIPT, will enable us to measure and assess the situation as best we can this summer."
For more information:
UNPT/CNIPT
43-45, rue de Naples
75 008 PARIS
Tel.: 01 44 69 42 40
www.unpt.fr
www.cnipt.fr
Tel.: 01 44 69 42 10
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