Monstrous potato volume forecast in Netherlands

The largest ware potato acreage in over 25 years has also resulted in a record amount of potatoes this year. Although they did not grow well everywhere in the Netherlands, the figures from the provisional harvest estimate of the CBS speak volumes. This article was updated on 28-10 with additional figures.The cultivation of ware potatoes increased by 8.6% this year to 83,100 hectares. That is the largest acreage in 25 years. The provisional yield is estimated by the CBS at 4.4 million tons. An increase of no less than 37%, or 1.19 million tons, compared to last year and even significantly more than was harvested in 2017. Back then, it was about 3.95 million tons, but the harvested acreage was 74,775 hectares, which is 8,325 hectares smaller. Where the ultimately harvested acreage will end up is still to be seen, as the harvest will surely continue for another two to three weeks. High hectare yield The average hectare yield for ware potatoes stands at 53.5 tons. That is almost a quarter more than was harvested last year and also more than was achieved in 2017. Back then, the hectare yield was 52.8 tons. Only in 2000 was it slightly higher at 53.1 tons per hectare. At that time, a total of 4.46 million tons was harvested. The CBS has not yet published detailed figures for starch and seed potatoes.The national statistic service CBS estimates that the total potato volume produced in the Netherlands this year amounts to 7.9 million tonnes. This is also the largest in 25 years time. Back then 8.13 million tonnes were produced. In the quarter century that followed the 7 million level was reached eight times. This means that the seed potato and starch categories together amount to 3.45 million tonnes. That is 352.000 tonnes more than harvested in 2024. A split between the groups has not yet been made by the CBS.