2023

Publication author: Christelle Denis – SARL D.Vegetables Potato market chronicle November 2023 All market chronicles What a strange start to the campaign! We were aware that the harvest was going to drag on for a long time, given the delays in planting in certain regions during the spring, and the complicated dethatching, but the end of the harvest, particularly in northern France and northern Europe (Belgium, Netherlands), is far from in sight. In November, torrential rain flooded entire plots of land; will it be possible to harvest these fields when the risk of frost looms in the near future? The French market has been sluggish up to now, but packers have had no visibility and are finding it hard to meet demand! The export market has been buoyant since August, particularly in Italy and Spain, which has had the effect of maintaining sustained prices. We can already focus on the state of stocks and quality: it’s worth noting that in view of the increases (energy, packaging, labor) and attractive prices, growers are speculating little and selling as soon as possible; some fridges are already almost empty. Quality is average, with mainly visual defects (scab, dartrose…) and sizes are mainly towards the top of the basket; few small sizes will be available for fresh and processed. As far as the industry is concerned, it is to be hoped that the Benelux countries will be able to grub up what remains in the ground; if not, prices will come under considerable pressure throughout this campaign, which may well be shorter than usual. Similarly, with geopolitical tensions in Israel, will this region of the world be able to plant the plants sent for harvest in the spring of 2024? A strange start to a campaign with an uncertain future for the 2023-24 season!

Publication author: David Storper – Maison Mendel Potato market chronicle September 2023 All market chronicles A very busy start to the yearin terms of prices! We’re starting to get used to it… A logical downward trend is underway, with supply increasing by the day. Harvesting in the North is behind schedule, particularly for fritables, due to late planting and unfavorable weather conditions in the fields. Boosted export demand seems to be overshadowing French consumption, which is struggling to get off the ground due to high inflation. Prices for firm white meats are struggling to come down. Demand remains strong. For firm red meats, market supply and demand are virtually non-existent. With fryers nibbling away at acreage, this trend may augur higherhigher prices for producers, who are still subject to more technical and normative constraints. Quality problems, such as mildew and pythium, are nevertheless reported in Germany, Holland and Belgium. A few disparate outbreaks are reported in France. Exports are on the up. Since the beginning of September, Italy and Spain have been on the offensive earlier than usual for washable products, due toclimatic problems that have affected harvests. Italian buyers made their presence felt at Potato Europe. This external demand and rising fixed costs may augur well for a higher-priced market in the medium term. In the short term, howeverprice trends remain uncertain. It’s hard for supermarkets to reach their consumers with attractive prices in these conditions! There’s no doubt that Fruit Attraction is an opportunity for the potato family to position itself on a market that still has limited visibility in view of the grubbing-up that’s still going on. For the time being, growers are filling their stockpiles and selling only when the opportunity arises. We wish you all a good season,See you at the autumn trade shows.

Publication author: Yves Le Bouëdec – J. Lévesque SARL Potato market chronicle July 2023 All market chronicles At the end of the campaign, there have been no volumes left in good quality since the end of April. New harvests are expected, and when they are available, they are sold at good prices, especially as our European neighbors are expecting lower yields. Decidedly, one year follows another, but no two are alike in this business. This year’s highlight is the demand for processing potatoes, particularly for fritables in the Hauts-de-France region. This increase in plantings is disrupting the usual production patterns, for both seed and fresh potatoes. This year, planting was delayed until late May or even early June, particularly in the northern part of the region. Rainfall, followed by a dry climate with easterly winds, contributed to irregular emergence. High temperatures combined with a lack of water disrupted tuberization. Beware of bolting! Our world is changing, and we’re becoming aware of it… For the plant, the situation is complicated: dealing with current emergence problems, and ensuring a new, high-quality harvest. At present, it’s still difficult to predict harvest levels. Let’s keep things in perspective, because, as Boileau said: “often the fear of an evil leads us into a worse one”. Have a good summer.

Publication author: Silvana Paolozzi – Ets Jacques Albert Potato market chronicle May 2023 All market chronicles A campaign that ends on a high notewith strong market dynamics, sustained general demandwith very good prices maintained throughout the yearprices maintained throughout the year.Initially, the industry was expecting a sharp drop inin potato production due to the extreme drought, withextreme drought, with major yield losses.What is the situation today? There is growing concern about a potentialpotential water shortage this summer, while much of FranceFrance is experiencing excess rainfall.Will this be enough to reverse the trend?We may be surprised, as there are major disparitiesdisparities between regions and countries, but we shouldn’t forget thatthat water reserves are in deficit. The months aheadtell us, but it’s too early to draw any conclusions.conclusions.What will be the consequences for quality?The early harvest should take over nowbut we already know that there are shortfallsin the NEPG zone, in relation to the planted areasin decline. Will we be able to count on Spanish primeurs?Not so sure. Spain is experiencing major problemsdrought. We can expectmuch lower yields and a loss of size.What can we expect for the 2023-24 campaign?A lot of questions are being asked.taken positions with contracts at much higher prices thanthan in recent years, with the majority of contractsof contracts. The rise in energy prices and galloping inflationhas undoubtedly enabled us to get back on track.But will this be enough to meet the challenges, risks andproduction? The questions are many.What to plant? For fresh produce, for industry, what variety?what treatment, to counter the surprisesof more unstable weather than ever…To be continued.  

Publication author: Jérôme Bonnier – Ets Jérôme Bonnier Potato market chronicle March 2023 All market chronicles he conclusion of my March 2022 column was that finding potatoes on the open market this to find potatoes on the open market next season. next season. 12 months have gone by, and there is sport, and it’s here to stay. The open market is very very tight for the end of the campaign, with the last retention by the last stockists. Packers are continuing to self-supply and are only buying the bare minimum, knowing that that double washing is necessary to get through certain to pass certain batches of very delicate quality. The rate of The rate of waste is exploding at the same rate as the purchase price. Disputes are becoming increasingly frequent. On the fresh produce market, Spain, Portugal and Italy are 15 days late in harvesting new potatoes. new potatoes. The arrival of the first potatoes from Israel and Egypt is imminent. In Brittany, after a promising start for planting under tarpaulin in February, there was a 4 to 5 weeks, then a resumption. But intentions to plant seem to be on the wane for fresh potatoes, while the potato industry has a ferocious appetite and is recruiting new producers. For their part, the starch and beet production sectors beet production sectors are suffering enormously. What will growers do stop or switch to potatoes? The Netherlands and Belgium are struggling to increase production areas, while France will be planting begging for rain! In any case, early potatoes will find their place this year, with prices year, with prices expected to be very buoyant. But then, there are a lot of parameters for change of change and a lot of questioning for the coming year on all markets. Could France become the new potato Eldorado? for potatoes? More sport!

Publication author: Frédéric Laviron – Roussineau SA Potato market chronicle January 2023 All market chronicles Rarely in the history of the fresh produce marketI share with you, you’ve left me so doubtful…I’m not sure what to think of you: your European productionlimited, and yet I’m exporting you at a steady paceat the start of the campaign to our traditional marketsand Eastern European countries, where demand has not waned;everything leads me to believe that, once again, this will be your year,and your price remains high; so much the better!But there’s something you’re not telling me… Look at me throughyour lenses. Your quality is far from exceptional.For over a month now, your price range on the fresh marketmarket has only widened. I quickly realized thatdemand for intermediate quality was rather lowand that, in view of my storage costs, I had to get rid of you fast.get rid of you.Processors are courting you for the next campaignand their sacks were full at Christmas.As a result, I no longer know what to plant: seedlings? fresh?Industry? And what was a reality last yearis becoming a real trend this year;your consumption of fresh produce is once again marking time.The technical and environmental constraintson your production (less phytosanitary products), the difficulty and sometimes astronomical costs to maintain your quality in the fridge, and finally the risk you represent in terms of the market compared to other to other crops, all of which can lead to a  profound change in the face of your production.But dear tuber, since I’m talking to you, I believe in you, and know that there’s no shortage of ideas to adapt you, because your assets are exceptional: a staple product that consumers love, with a vast by the consumer, with a vast market and dynamic research. You remind me a little of a ship in a storm… but the captain is an expert and knows the sea. So,” bon vent” in 2023! Happy new year to you.