Seed potato export is the slowest in January in ten years

The Dutch seed potato export was slower in January than in the previous ten years. A total of less than 60,000 tons was exported last month. The total export amounts to 367,836 tons as of January 31, according to figures from the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO). The export is therefore 12% behind compared to last season. The backlog is mainly due to a smaller demand so far in the European Union. The early export went quite well this year. Africa, led by Algeria, has taken in more seed potatoes than a year ago. Lower sales in Egypt have been compensated by a larger export to Libya. Sudan has also bought more seed potatoes. Exports to South and Central America have been more than halved, as Cuba has no money for new seed potato purchases. Exports to Asia are slightly behind compared to last year. Countries that imported a lot of seed potatoes last year are buying less this year. Examples include Iraq and Pakistan, but especially Saudi Arabia. The latter has purchased about 7,000 tons less than last year. On the other hand, exports to Syria are picking up again and are almost back to the level before the power transition. In Europe, significantly less seed potatoes went to early regions last month. Spain, Italy, and Portugal have taken in less. The export to Germany has also been very quiet. Total sales within the European Union are just above 100,000 tons so far. Normally, by February 1, almost a third more has been delivered. In recent years, exports within the EU at this interim point fluctuated around 130,000 tons. In exports to other European countries, it is particularly noticeable that less seed potatoes have been delivered to Turkey and the United Kingdom. In recent years, the Turks were an important customer; last year the export to this country was plagued by rejections. In the end, just over 20,000 tons were shipped to Turkey. The export so far amounts to 2,500 tons, compared to 6,600 tons in the same period last year.