The supply of early potatoes for consumption increased significantly, although this had a negative effect on prices, despite mainly good demand and convincing quality. According to the BLE, on the other hand, prices for consumption potatoes rose several times due to the limited supply. However, consistent prices were no exception in this sector.
Schleswig-Holstein
Last week the price increase hoped for by growers was realized. However, this only applies to premium products from the refrigerator. In general, supply drops significantly. The volumes correspond to the reduced demand. The start of the asparagus season increases the demand for good quality potatoes. Actions are underway in retail. However, the supply of imported products is also increasing. The wet soil and constant rainfall still make planting difficult. Seed potatoes already germinate before planting.
Lower Saxony:
Every break in the rain was used on the fields. The market progressed steadily. According to BVNON, a surcharge of €2-4 euros could be paid for chilled product, depending on the quality.
Rhineland-Palatinate
The supply of old harvest potatoes for consumption is decreasing and people are switching to early potatoes from Egypt, Israel and Cyprus. The last consignments from the surplus areas are traded at stable prices and stocks are in danger of running out. The retail industry expects a rapid switch to early potatoes at the end of the month. Due to the delayed start of the season, German early potatoes are expected later than normal.
Hesse
In the state of Hesse there were no significant price changes compared to the previous week.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
After the lively Easter trade, the demand for packaged potatoes for consumption has clearly decreased. This is not unusual, residual stocks from the lavish Easter shopping are used up first. There is still product from last year available from storage, but stocks are continuing to decrease. Free consumption potatoes are hardly available on the market. Grower prices for ware potatoes from storage remain unchanged at the level of the previous week. Prices for the peeling industry are stable. The first German asparagus are now offered in small quantities and at high prices. Egyptian early potatoes are still in low demand. Potato planting is already underway in many places, and on the light sandy soils the planting work will be completed this week. Rain has temporarily delayed the planting of potatoes regionally.
Brandenburg
Grower prices for consumption potatoes remain virtually unchanged at last week’s level. During the Easter holidays and also in the week after Easter, demand for potatoes for consumption increased at retailers and discounters. The share of imported early potatoes in supermarkets is steadily increasing. The early potatoes from Egypt and Israel are on offer and are already selling well. The price of peeled potatoes has increased slightly in some cases. Potato planting is progressing quickly, although rain has temporarily interrupted some work.
North Rhine-Westphalia
In retail, the supply of local consumption potatoes from the old harvest is supplemented by early potato imports. In the industrial market, chip manufacturers focus on the processing of contract products. Transactions with non-contracted raw materials are limited.
Saxony
In the short week after Easter, demand for potatoes for consumption in supermarkets leveled off considerably, as expected. The supplies that had been built up for Easter were used up first. Grower prices for consumption potatoes and prices for peeled potatoes are stable at last week’s levels. However, there is still a shortage of German storage potatoes and it will take at least three months before the next harvest is harvested. There is no free supply of potatoes. The switch to early potatoes is being made very slowly and sales are low. The current unusually warm weather is causing German storage potatoes to germinate early, which is hampering sales. Some seed potatoes have been germinating for a long time and should therefore be planted as soon as possible. The preparatory field work for planting the tubers is in full swing
Saxony-Anhalt
In the week after Easter, demand for potatoes for consumption in supermarkets and discounters was weak. Grower prices for consumption potatoes and prices for peeling potatoes were increased slightly in some cases. Since Easter, the retail sector has increasingly included imported early potatoes in their range. So far, sales have been mediocre and prices are high. Alternatively, local potatoes for consumption are considerably better. They are good and cheap. Potato planting is prepared regionally. Some growers are already busy. Rainfall has delayed planting, especially on heavy soils. The seed potatoes have been germinating for a long time, so time is running out. Traders are busy marketing the remaining stocks that are popping up here and there.
Thuringia
As expected, the trade in potatoes for consumption initially declined sharply at the start of the week after Easter. Towards the end of the week sales increased
packaged potatoes for consumption increased noticeably. Grower prices for German consumption potatoes remain at the level of the previous week. Old tubers are no longer available in sufficient quantities, and the goods are sometimes shipped to distant regions with high price offers. German packers benefit from long-term relationships and own supplies on site. This week, new potatoes from Egypt are in supermarket advertising. Until now, demand for the expensive imported potatoes has been weak. The prices for peeling potatoes remain unchanged.
