News on The Potato Supply Chain from the Netherlands

Now that growers and managers can meet again in person, serious concerns are being shared by AVEBE Potato growers. That is the conclusion of Members’ Council member Annelous Groenwold and Agro Director Arjan de Rooij.

In the Netherlands, 31 parties in the table potato chain sign a covenant in which they commit to switch completely to organic robust potato varieties, including 7 supermarkets.

On 10 and 11 November, Agrico held its annual variety and seedling show at Agrico Research in Bant. During the show no fewer than nine new varieties were presented.

In this new position, Joost will be responsible for the downstream part of Solynta, leading product management, commercial and go to market strategies.

On 9, 10 and 11 November, HZPC will open its doors in Joure – and online – to anyone with a passion for potatoes. During Potato Days 2022, they will discuss the challenges of food security and sustainability, now and in the future.

Ventilation costs a lot of electricity and has become pricey now that energy prices are going through the roof. One stroke of luck is that the latest generation of fans is much more energy efficient.

Regenerative is hot. The European Commission wants more regenerative agriculture in Europe in 2030, supporting ecosystem recovery and increasing carbon capture in the soil. However, financial incentives are still lacking.

The Smart Grader is an optical grader that uses advanced camera technology. It sorts by size, shape, and visible characteristics like cracks, green areas, bumps, and scab and wireworm damage.

In the 2021/2022 fiscal year, HZPC managed to bring its results back on course after a challenging 2020/2021 fiscal year.

Due to the current scarcity of fertilizers, the 'red areas' and the increasing production costs, efficient nitrogen fertilization is becoming increasingly important.

The DNA in humans and gorillas is about 95% identical. This percentage is much lower between potato varieties. This might sound like a fun fact to remember for a pub quiz, but for Remco Ursem and Stan Oome, it is a premise that carries a serious challenge.

Mark Zuidhof will be appointed COO of Agrico as of 16 September. Together with current director Jan van Hoogen (CEO), he will form the Statutory Board of Agrico. Jan van Hoogen will step down as director as of 1 January 2024.

Potato Starch manufacturer Royal Avebe has started the campaign at production location Gasselternijveen. Growing conditions were excellent until early July, but heat and lack of precipitation in recent weeks is cause for concern.

The price paid to HZPC Holland’s seed potato growers for the 2021 harvest is EUR 33,70 (about USD 35) per 100 kilo. This is slightly above the forecast price of EUR 33,10 (about USD 34.7) published last spring.

Five years ago, Mts. Koenraadt-Heerink started growing sweet potatoes on a trial basis in the Netherlands. Over the years, the acreage has grown from less than one to 20.5 hectares. Still, yoelds must improve to make it profitable.

It attracts quite a bit of attention, the dizzying weaving of steel, which now rises high above the other business premises on Vossenberg (Tilburg, The Netherlands).

During the General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) of HZPC Holding B.V. Jean-Pierre Bienfait was appointed as new member of the Supervisory Board. Jean-Pierre fills the vacancy of Meerten Ubbens.

Hybrid potato innovator Solynta and seed enhancement company Incotec announced at the International Seed Federation (ISF) congress they have entered a collaboration agreement.