HZPC growers price seed potatoes considerably higher than expected

This week HZPC announced the final grower prices for seed potatoes crop 2009 to her growers.
The average price over all varieties is for the class E, size 28/55, 23.10 euro per 100 kg before deduction of the breeder's fee and excluding VAT. Besides that, HZPC paid to the growers as fees an average of 2.50 euro per 100 kg.

At the end of February HZPC announced a forecast price of 20.50 euro, based on a careful scenario for the further course of the rest of the season. However, the course was considerably better and therefore the definite grower's price is higher.

The grower's prices have been settled according the system of equalization. Because of the big difference compared to the average, at the top the variety Spunta was excluded from this system and at the bottom the variety Desiree was excluded. Spunta contributed 5% tot the total pool and Desiree was supported with 10%.

The year 2009/2010 is characterised by the considerably lower prices than realised in the last three years. Although the average yield per hectare is higher than ever before, this does not compensate the decrease in price compared to last year. The financial result of HZPC in 2009/2010 including her subsidiaries, will be lower than realised in the three foregoing years.