Analysis Potatoes
Belgian potatoes show significant delay
It is becoming increasingly clear that the potato crops still have a lot of catching up to do in Europe. Especially the fields planted later - and there are many this year - are missing a month of growth. This is becoming increasingly clear in the trial harvest figures.
The Belgian potato organizations, including Viaverda, Fiwap, and Inagro, sampled 36 Fontane fields for the second time between 19 and 22 August in Flanders and Wallonia. The average net yield is 28 tons per hectare across all sizes. This is 9 tons below the five-year average or 24%.
Planting Dates
Thus, the yield is by far the lowest in at least twelve years. For comparison: in 2018, the yield at the end of August was 32 tons per hectare. However, that was after 116 growth days, while the crops now average only 86 days. Of the 36 fields, nineteen were planted in June, thirteen in May, and only four in April. The planting dates range from April 13 to June 19, resulting in an average of May 25.
The impact of the planting dates on the yield is enormous. It ranges from an average of 55 tons to only 15 tons for the June potatoes. The lower limit is 7 tons, with an upper limit of 67 tons. The underwater weights also vary significantly, from 411 grams for the earlier fields to 312 grams for the June fields.
Flemish Potatoes Better
In Flanders, the potatoes perform better than in Wallonia, with 33 tons versus 23 tons. The Flemish potatoes are also coarser, with 60% in the size 35 mm and above, compared to 40% in the French-speaking part. The tuber setting is similar. The multi-year average is 64% 35 mm and above.
Compared to the previous measurement in week 32, there has been an average growth of 510 kilograms per hectare per day. This is slightly higher than the multi-year average of 440 kilograms, despite the recent hot and dry weather. Looking at the number of growth days, the growth is disappointing. Normally, with 80 to 90 days, you can expect a daily production of 750 kilograms. Last year, it was even slightly more.
Fresh Crops
Where wear of the foliage is visible in the early planted fields, the late crops look fresh. So, there is potential, but the crucial question is whether it can be realized. On the one hand, you have to deal with the growth conditions. Current weather models indicate that we will have dry and warm weather in the first half of September.
On the other hand, there are the number of growth days. The crops still need at least 70 growth days for an average yield. This brings us to mid-October, after which the crops still need to be sprayed and harvested. It is more realistic to calculate with four to six weeks of growth (28 to 42 days). If you extrapolate that in the graph, you will reach a maximum of 45 tons per hectare according to the five-year average after 114 to 128 growth days. For the crops to achieve that, a lot still needs to happen, and the conditions must be almost perfect. It is not heading in that direction now. The sunny weather is positive for the underwater weight, though.
Bruwier Figures
Potato company Bruwier has also released new trial harvest figures for Fontane and Challenger. The former was at 40.6 tons per hectare net in week 34, with 64% in the size 50 mm and above. Challenger comes in at 29.3 tons with 39% 50 mm and above. Fontane is 5% below the five-year average, and Challenger is 29% lower.
These potatoes were also planted late on average, between May 10 and June 12 (Fontane). The company reports that the crops still look fresh and have potential. This is also reflected in the underwater weight of 392 grams (Fontane) and 324 grams (Challenger).
