The progress of potato planting is very difficult. "In the southwest, 50% has been planted. For East Brabant and Limburg, that share is towards two thirds," says director Wim van de Ree of potato cooperative Nedato. "The structure is just not right. Growers who can irrigate are doing so, but on heavy soil they just have to wait for the rain that is still not in sight." "If you normally have all the capacity, the planting work will be done in a few weeks, now that we are dealing with record drought, it is a different story," says Wim. "In addition, a number of growers are still hesitant whether they should plant potatoes this year. Combined with the poor structure of the soil, there are a number of growers who have decided to cut back, although I don't know the exact number." "We are not giving advice on this. Some growers are planning less, others are thinking anti-cyclically. But the general feeling is that the 2020 season must be in order if things are to go well as the dry period progresses," says Wim. "Perhaps the government's 50 million scheme will still give some light at the end of the tunnel, but no one knows." "The current sales of chip potatoes have been reduced to zero. After a few weeks of 'hoarding', the sales of table potatoes are at a level slightly above average. Furthermore, exports, especially to the southern countries, also continue, only for lower prices. All in all, the table potatoes have come a long way, but these are specific, solid cooking varieties with a specific skin colour. They are almost done and you cannot get them out of the chip varieties. They will be repurposed thanks to the scheme," Wim concludes. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com