Planting of early potatoes in France has been completed and the harvest has started in some areas

According to the French Potato Interprofessional (CNIPT), the harvest of the early varieties in France is progressing smoothly despite the difficult conditions caused by the lack of water in recent weeks, and the volumes should be in line with the expected production.

In the Perpignan-Roussillon area, producers have harvested greenhouse potatoes since April 10 and the volume of potatoes from the fields should hit the market next week. Sales are expected to peak starting the first week of June.

This year, the sector expects an increase in the potential of marketed volumes in firm pulp varieties.

In Noirmoutier, the frost at the beginning of the campaign had minimal impact on the crop. High season volumes will remain stable. Starting next week, harvested volumes will increase significantly (the start of peak marketing is expected around May 20).

In Brittany, the plantations have been carried out in good conditions and the evolution of the crop is quite favorable, even a little advanced. Volumes will intensify by the end of May and the production potential remains stable for 2022.

In southwestern France, planting ended in early April. The first harvests will be carried out in early June (for production under mulching), and in mid-June for open field. The peak will take place around July 10.

In Normandy, the first volumes are expected to arrive in late June/early July. The first volumes of potatoes from Alsace are also expected at the end of June.

The harvest in the southeast (Provence/Camargue) is expected to start 10 to 15 days earlier, depending to basins, plots, and varieties.

Prices

In week 18, the washed Agata France category 1 in 12.5 kg containers for the French market was traded at EUR 550/t (the same price as in the previous week), while the washed Agata France category 1 in 1 t bags for export was traded at EUR 230/t (RNM quotes), thus remaining the same.