Analysis Potatoes
Belgian potatoes miss a month of growth
The absence of nearly a month of growth marks the Belgian potato crops. Now that the crop growth is in its final stage - after many fields have been sprayed dead - it becomes clear what this costs in terms of yield. The differences amount to as much as 53 tons per hectare, as shown by the trial harvest figures.
On September 30 and October 1, the Belgian potato organizations (Fiwap, Viaverda, Carah, Inagro) took samples again of the Fontane variety. Three of the 36 fields had completely died by then, so no new yield measurement was carried out. At the sampling moment, seventeen of the 36 fields had been sprayed dead. On average, the crops were 45% dead.
Variation of 53 tons
The average net yield in week 40 amounts to 44 tons per hectare in the size 35 millimeters and above. This is the second lowest yield in recent years. Only 2022 yielded an even lower yield of 42.4 tons. This yield was achieved after an average of 121 growth days. That is 27 days less than the five-year average. This is reflected in the four fields that were planted in April, where the yield is much better. The average dry matter content is 393 grams.
There is a huge difference in yield between the crops. The top reaches 75 tons per hectare after 143 days, while the bottom is only 22 tons after 96 days. The late crops have still realized their potential. Compared to the previous sampling in week 38, there has been an increase of 2.4 tons (170 kilograms per day). In the previous measurement, it was 600 kilograms, indicating that the crops are in their final phase, even though they may still appear green.
Dry matter content stable
The measured dry matter content is also quite low. The five-year average is 422 grams. Only last year was lower than the current measurement. In the past two weeks, the dry matter content has not significantly increased. The lowest values are only 333 grams. The five fields planted in June all show low values.
This season, the late planting date is particularly problematic. It has cost a lot of yield. If you look at the number of growth days rather than the date, it is average. However, this potential is not being utilized this season. A low dry matter content is a disadvantage for the very late fields. The trial harvests revealed hardly any defects. A few green tubers or growth cracks. Hollow tubers were almost not found. Almost all batches have excellent frying quality.
The Belgian organizations will sample all fields once more in week 42 for the final yield. Innovator, Markies, and Bintje will also be included.
Aviko figures mirror Belgium
Aviko has released its latest trial harvest figures for this year. In week 40, the fields yielded 59 tons per hectare gross, which translates to about 50 tons net. This is the lowest yield since 2022, just like in the Belgian figures. What stands out is that the crops are much less coarse than in other years. The percentage of 50 millimeters and above ends at 75%, whereas it has always been above 80% in the past. The dry matter content has slightly decreased to 405 grams.
According to the potato processor, by the end of week 40, a tight 30% of all Aviko potatoes had been harvested in the Netherlands. This percentage is slightly lower than last year. In France, it is slightly less. In Belgium, less than 10% has been harvested. Germany traditionally is much further ahead. There, 45% has been harvested, and in the United Kingdom, around 30%.
