On September 9, 2014, a conference was held in Brussels on the current problems of the potato industry in Europe.
The event was organized by: EUPPA - European Processors Association, Sora Cogeca (farmers and agricultural cooperatives in Europe) and Europatat (European Union of Potato Trade). The conference was intended to highlight the importance and importance of the European potato sector (potatoes are the fourth largest crop in Europe in terms of gross production).
The discussions of the participants were organized in three sections: “The Global Potato Market: Today and Prospects”, “Trade Interaction” and “Sustainable Sustainable Development of the Potato Industry”. The second section was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Potato Union of Russia Anna Oleinik. In her presentation, she introduced the audience to current data on the harvest of vegetables of the 2014 season in the Russian Federation, the state of imports in recent years, as well as specific examples of the activities of the Potato Union in solving the problems of the Russian potato industry.
The main themes
In general, speakers at the conference noted that the EU is a major producer and trader of potatoes (despite little sector support), as well as a key exporter of seeds to North Africa and one of the most important suppliers of processed potatoes to South America and Asia.
Many also stressed that the 2014/2015 market season will obviously be more difficult than 2013/2014, but in the long term, it is possible to predict an increase in potato consumption among the population - primarily in non-European countries. In this regard, the three leading professional associations that organized this meeting are planning a demanding appeal to the European Union Commissions to eliminate tariff customs barriers, bureaucratic barriers and phytosanitary obstacles that could interfere with upcoming negotiations with non-European states.
In order to preserve the confident procession of the industry in the future, it was recommended that relevant European institutions take the problems of the potato industry in Europe very seriously, in particular, pay special attention to protecting the intellectual rights of breeders and seed growers.
In their presentations, the speakers provided very interesting data.
By all accounts, the conference was a great success, and many of its participants expressed a desire to meet at a similar event again - already with the results of next year.
Based on the materials of the Potato Union
CONFERENCE IN FIGURES The potato harvest in Europe in 2014 is expected to reach 27,5 thousand tons (in the time period 2009-2014 - an increase of 6,9%) with an average yield of 45,86 t / ha (an increase of 3,6% over the same period ). An increase in the consumption of fresh potatoes in the near future is planned due to the growth in demand in Africa, India and some Asian countries. Seed aspect. 89% of the world seed market belongs to producers of the EU countries. At the same time, 42% of seeds are consumed in countries outside the EU. The Netherlands holds 57% of the global seed market. To date, 1500 varieties are registered in the single register of European potato varieties in Europe, 110 ha are used for seed potato production, export is to 000 countries. |