Search for top-quality Innovators leads to price variation

There is demand for good lots of Innovators, which is slightly raising the prices for these potatoes. This is especially noticeable in France and Germany and the Netherlands is moving along. The season for processing Innovator is nearing its end. Not all lots appear suitable, which means that at the end there is a search for better potatoes. To find those, higher prices are being offered. In Germany bids are around €8 per 100 kilo and in France this rises to €10 per 100 kilo. It mainly concerns purchases to replace poorer lots. In some cases these are farmer-to-farmer transactions, where growers with a contract try to limit the risk of rejection. At the same time traders and processors are also looking for suitable lots. This leads to a broad price range. At the lower end, sometimes €3 per 100 kilo is paid to top up contract programs, while at the upper end €8 to €10 is offered for replacements. Replacing lots with defects is not unexpected. Innovators were harvested early last year, during a period of drought. As a result, more damage occurred. For later varieties, harvesting conditions were more favorable. Higher prices are also being reported here and there for Agria. At the end of April €8 per 100 kilo was paid and last week still €7 per 100 kilo. It concerns lots suitable for peeling or fresh fries. Volumes are limited, but transactions are taking place at these levels. Demand from the Dutch industry remains quiet for now. Processors are mainly focusing on contract potatoes and largely leaving the cheap free market supply alone. Exports fill gaps in Southern and Eastern Europe and also towards Africa. However, trade is not moving smoothly due to strong competition and low prices. In Belgium, Belgapom and Viaverda/Fiwap are maintaining their quotation at €0,00 per 100 kilo. In Germany, prices are also remaining stable. Reka-Rheinland quotes €3 for Innovator, €2,50 for Agria and €0,50 per 100 kilo for Fontane. This picture is reflected in the European Processing Potato Index of futures market organizer EEX. The EPP index rises this week from €0,50 to €1,70 per 100 kilo. This is due not only to a better market, but also because PotatoNL did not quote a week earlier. The contribution of the Netherlands in the EPP index fell last week by €0,65 to €1,40 and rises this week to €2,98 per 100 kilo. In France there is an increase to €1,53, while Germany and Belgium remain at low levels.