European potato stocks reportedly at their lowest level in decades, while Belgium reports record production
Potato supplies into Europe, Russia and Ukraine are reportedly running at their lowest level for decades, with domestic production delayed by cold, wet weather and suppliers in traditional spring sources Egypt and Israel reporting lower-than-usual stocks for the time of year.
According to Christoph Hambloch of analyst AMI, problems with the quality and availability of early potatoes in Spain, Italy, Belgium and Germany have complicated matters and depressed overall profitability in the sector, notably as a result of moisture-related disease.
Meanwhile, market prices are said to be rocketing, topping €70 per tonne compared with €50 per tonne at the same time last year.
“The current price trend has been turned on its head,” Hambloch wrote. “Normally prices start to go down at this time of year, but now they are climbing higher and higher.”
In Belgium, local reports suggest potato production area in the region of Wallonia has increased 8.6% this year to 35,535ha, contributing to an overall rise in production to 81,165ha – a new record for the country.