POTATO MARKETS Weekly

摘要

European potato markets are showing signs of improvement, despite the welcome rains of the past week. Yields are currently down on last year and there is a shortage of large grades. Prices have risen in Belgium and France and have declined only marginally in Germany. While the British average price was steady last week, the free-buy quotation was sharply higher. Spanish and Portuguese potato markets are steady but the Czech ware market is said to be under pressure. European futures markets are holding steady, with April contract prices closing today at 165 EUR/tonne at Amsterdam and at 220 EUR/t for the Hanover London contract. Belgian ware potato plantings this year are put at 61 841 hectares, 3.7% down on last year, but there has been a surprisingswitch back into Bintje, perhaps due to the availability of cheap seed. Unfavourable planting and growing conditions in Lithuania have prompted fears of a 20-25% yield reduction this year. The German seed potato area has fallen by more than 11% to a record low level of 16 713ha, according to the association of certification offices. Organic farming is increasing in the EU but in 2002 only accounted for 3.8% of the farmed area. In this issue we report on the battle in Germany over the continued listingof the variety Linda, on the introduction by Frito-Lay of a Russian potato festival, on a GM potato developed in Canada which offers improved disease resistance and on a high vitamin A potato being developed in Austria. The Atkins diet firm has sued forbankruptcy in the US. Germany's Metro has increased its sales in eastern Europe while Ahold has purchased a chain of stores in the Czech Republic. Dutch export inspections will in future be confined to phytosaniary aspects.