Joost Blanckaert, Potato Masters: 'We have to adjust the potato area to the demand'

The Belgium Potato supplier Potato Masters have been completely in their new potato season for a few weeks now.

"The old ones were finished quicker than expected."According to Joost Blanckaert Sr. prices are 'normal' at the moment for the time of the year.

"We had a small dip in sales when it was very warm and the decreased demand during the holiday period is the same at the moment as other years."

The manager is positive about the past season, but the new season looks rather gloomy.

Last season, peaks and troughs

When Joost looks back at the past season it has gone well for the growers. "It went with peaks and troughs. In the beginning of the primeur season we had very high prices, for instance we paid 700 euro for Israeli potatoes. In the middle of May the supply of Israeli potatoes was still very large and the price decreased quite a lot because of the smaller demand from Russia and the bigger supply from Southern Spain. Last year should have been a normal season, if the problems with Russia had not occurred, but because of the shortage of potatoes there the prices increased considerably. When Russia was off the market prices decreased again." 

Depressed mood

The Sales & Buying manager is less positive about the new season. "In various countries there is more area and I expect lower prices this year than last year. Prices will decrease to the bottom."According to Joost there is a depressed mood on the potato market. "Last season we had high prices and the reaction is for everybody to plant more potatoes. We must adjust the area to the demand and the demand for fresh is shrinking all the time."

Potato Masters

Potato Masters produce, pack and commercialize a broad assortment of potato varieties. Each variety has its own typical properties, qualities and applications. The products are divided to retailers all over Europe. Important export buyers are Germany, Spain and England. The company is busy at he moment finding new selling markets. "We have recently been busy in the Czech Republic and try and find customers in other Eastern European countries. Potato Masters have also developed their own new varieties in order to be distinct. Miss Blush, Miss Mignonne and Miss Andes are the witnesses of this."
 

Potato Masters Miss blush