The North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) announced the overall harvest of the 5 members is now estimated at 24.3 MT, which is 18% lower than last year and close to 8% lower than the average of the last 5 years.

The main reason for this poor harvest is the lower yield per ha as the total area for consumption potatoes grew slightly with 1 per cent in the NEPG countries.

This week also the last NEPG member, Great Britain, published their estimated harvest, 4.2 million tons which is the lowest harvest since 2012.

Last week France updated its figures to a total of 5.8 million consumption potatoes.

Resent stock surveys on the continent by the NEPG members showed what was expected, a much lower available stock level than previous years. Many lots with secondary growth have been treated and are processed now. These (contracted) potatoes have been processed already, so that good contract potatoes with delivery in November- December have been passed on to the new year. The NEPG expects the high and firm market level will continue at the start of the New Year. Also the new offered contracts by the continental processors will reflect the actual situation and will likely be on a much higher and more realistic level according to the NEPG.