Large decline but doubts about early potatoes

There is less need for early processing potatoes in the coming processing season. But what impact does this have on the acreage? Opinions differ greatly about that. It is clear that processors have made a significant correction, but it is uncertain how large it is. The growing season has so far been favorable for the crops. While the first acreage figures are trickling in, it is interesting to look at the development of early processing potatoes, which are normally harvested from early July. This year the old harvest will be kept running longer, according to the planning of many factories. This has an impact on the need for new potatoes. Acreage estimates The acreage figure already presented for France applies to both the main harvest and the 'demi-saison' early potatoes. The total acreage is expected to fall by 5.3%, according to the current forecast. The French government service does not publish figures for the size of the early segment. Insiders expect that a contraction of more than 5% is close to the truth, whereas 10% had previously been assumed. An enquiry by farmers' interest group FDSEA shows a slightly larger decline of 6.3% for potatoes in the department of Picardy. Another important region for early potatoes is Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This is also where the department of Gironde is located, which includes Bordeaux. The acreage in this southwestern part of France remains stable at 4,500 hectares. The local organization Fredon sees no major fluctuations. About a third of this acreage consists of early potatoes. Growing conditions have been very good so far, with regular rainfall. In combination with high temperatures, this has caused problems with diseases such as phytophthora . In Germany, the contraction is slightly larger at more than 7%. Here, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate is the most important growing area, although early table potatoes are mainly grown there. Destatis estimates the acreage here for 2026 at 5,700 hectares, which is a decrease of 30% compared with 2025, when 7,400 hectares were still cultivated. Some people do have questions about the reliability of this sharp decline. Halving? The cultivation of early processing potatoes in Belgium and the Netherlands is comparable, with an estimated 8,000 to 8,300 hectares. In an initial estimate, Viaverda even assumes a halving of the acreage in Flanders. At the same time, it is reported that West Flanders is seeing the smallest contraction this year, while this is precisely where many early potatoes are grown. For the Netherlands, insiders' estimates go up to 40%, but 10% to 20% is also mentioned. A question remains whether potato growers chose to plant early potatoes for their own account. Given the market sentiment, that is unlikely, but on the other hand seed potatoes were available at favorable prices and the land was available. Planting conditions were very good this spring. Now that sufficient rainfall has fallen in most places, the crops are looking fine. Seed potato traders say that significantly less starting material of the early varieties has been sold. Start of processing season When processors start on the new harvest varies by company. For example, Farm Frites said earlier this year that it would simply start in week 27, while Agristo, for example, processes the first new potatoes in week 31 at the end of July. It is estimated that more time is being set aside for maintenance at the factories. This can also slow down the transition from the old to the new harvest. Old potatoes are sufficiently available at the end of this season, but the question is whether the quality is adequate. Many batches are relatively far advanced in aging due to the past growing season. This is especially the case with Innovator. The transition period is always somewhat messy within the potato industry, in order to get the last old and first new potatoes to line up properly. This is one reason why some buyers structurally choose fewer early potatoes, whose volume and quality vary greatly from year to year. Summer break 'costs' 4% acreage A total two-week summer break has a major impact on total processing. The five-year average potato harvest in the EU-4 amounts to 23.69 million tonnes, which is almost 461,000 tonnes of potatoes per week that need a destination. Largely through the gates of the French fry factories. Two weeks of shutdown means that 921,885 tonnes of capacity disappears. That corresponds to 21,950 hectares of potatoes, or 4% of the total consumer acreage in the four countries. In other words: for every week that the factories are not processing, the EU-4 acreage must shrink by an additional 2% to compensate for this. Primeurs start normally priced The first primeur potatoes have now been harvested in the EU-4. Apart from the malaise in the processing potato market, which also affects table and export potatoes, prices have started at an average level, including in Rhineland-Palatinate. The first prices were reported there on 19 May. These are small volumes sold by growers for €2 to €2.50 per kilo. In Switzerland, Swisspatat expects the first new table potatoes at the beginning of June. The acreage of early potatoes has fallen by 10% this year. For the first week of June, the guideline price for skin-firm potatoes in the 30-50 millimeter size has been set at the equivalent of €13.55 per 100 kilos. Since last year, the potato organization in the country has been working with a guideline price, which is staggered and runs until the end of August for early potatoes. Due to the large stock of old potatoes, it has been decided to focus on the 30-50 mm size and on skin-firm potatoes. For this, haulm destruction is now taking place.