Potato market chronicle december 2022

Here it is, the year of drought that reminds us of the famous year 1976. The revenge of irrigators, who seem to be doing rather well, on non-irrigators who are seeing their yields shrink, depending on the region and rainfall. And then there’s the galloping inflation of all inputs, plant protection products, equipment, etc., and ever longer lead times. And as if that weren’t enough, an unprecedented energy crisis is hitting packing stations
packaging stations and, above all, industry.

Against this backdrop, prices are historically high for a harvest period, especially for versatile and fritable 7.5s from Beauce,
Champagne or Picardie, with sizes that will be in demand throughout the year. Yields are lower, but growers have room in their fridges. Confident in the market, they delay sales, hoping for America. But happiness is not always around the corner!
And the higher the prices, the lower the expected profits after storage.

Prudence… Prices that are too high often attract outsiders and massive imports, as in a certain year 76…
Will industry be able to pass on its costs? Will we have enough energy this winter? And will we or won’t we have a real winter? It’s hard to predict how the market will evolve in this unprecedented context. A word of advice: above all, select your buyers, who, given the sums involved, need to be as solvent as possible. That remains the sinews of war!
Have a great season!