Israel: Cold weather has resulted in good potato sales

Potato producers planted 12,000 hectares between January and March 2017. This means there has been a 71% drop in the hectares planted.

Potato sales are going well at the moment. So says Bart Nemegheer of the Belgian potato cultivation and trade company, De Aardappelhoeve. "Spring has not quite sprung yet. This is good for potato consumption as more warm meals are being prepared."

"For the time being, this does not mean a rally in the prices. The price for Fontane has increased slightly. Prices for Challenger and Bintje are, however, less good due to issues with quality", continues the trader. "Sowing season is also upon us, but it has still been too cold. Although the weather should be better over the coming weekend, we are expecting volatile weather after that gain. It is also very cold in Germany. It might be that an excess of the older harvest will around at the end of the season. We will just have to wait and see. The weather will determine if that will be the case."

In the meantime, the first new potatoes from Israel have arrived at De Aardappelhoeve. "We have organic and conventional winter crop potatoes. We are waiting for increased volumes. The currently limited amounts are selling fast. Sales of this small supply went especially well over Easter when supermarkets like to offer some new potatoes."

For more informatiom:

De Aardappelhoeve

7A Putterijstraat

8700 Tielt (Belgium)

T: +32 (0)51 40 25 00

F: +32 (0)51 40 95 01

M: +32 (0)477 29 17 84

M: +32 (0)473 55 25 45

E: bart@deaardappelhoeve.be

W: www.deaardappelhoeve.be