AVEBE's expects 20% lower starch production

AVEBE’s supply-chain of starch potatoes continues uninterrupted despite the frost and wintry conditions.

Currently over half the expected potato harvest for this year has already been processed.

Due to August and September floods, and the early on-set of winter conditions, just a small percentage of starch potato acreage remains to be harvested.

The expected total production of potato starch will be about 20% less than last year.

Potato quality is quite good. Due to the wet harvest conditions, the tare rate is higher than 2009, while the underwater weight (starch content) is about 470 grams. This is 15 grams less than last year’s campaign.

It is expected this year’s campaign will conclude, by 1 March 2011, when all starch potatoes will have been processed.