The real discovery of recent years has become for the Russian potato community the annually held, highly specialized international exhibition "PotatoEurope", which this year was held in Germany from September 8 to 9.
This The event allows you to comprehensively look at the issues of potato growing and ways to solve many problems that inevitably arise for those who are constantly moving forward.
The debate over the appropriateness of visiting this exhibition among domestic manufacturers is partly rhetorical.
Someone is used to looking for the answer to many questions on their own - by trial and error, sometimes repeatedly - by reinventing the wheel - and at the same time sincerely believing in the exclusiveness of national conditions.
Maybe about 15 years ago, such a position was optimal, allowing many not only to withstand, but also from scratch, in difficult conditions, to create a profitable, stable production.
Ultimately, the majority agreed: everything that happens at this stage of development in domestic potato growing has already been completed by our European colleagues and it’s worth trying to adapt their experience to their conditions.
This will give a gain in time and, as a result, in a competitive, market struggle will be a sufficient impulse to gain a leading position in your region.
Time will tell who is right, and today I want to bring to your attention a brief overview of this extraordinary event, after reading which I hope you will be confirmed in your opinion or, on the contrary, change it. And then the next exhibition will open its doors for you too.
So, September 8-9, 2010. The Bokerode estate near Hanover. International exhibition of potato growers "PoiatoEurope".
Interesting solutions were shown at almost all technological stages, from soil preparation to harvesting and processing, from the GPS system presented by Grimrne for planting and cutting ridges, which helps to significantly increase productivity in these complex and important operations, to demonstration of harvesting with self-propelled harvesters produced by other leading companies.
Although for the majority of both domestic and foreign manufacturers, the acquisition of such equipment is not even relevant in the future, the technical race forces companies to hone their skills in the competition, increase the level of production in chains, and we, as consumers, are guaranteed reliable, productive equipment at a different price segment.
... Meanwhile, the potatoes dug out right in front of your eyes are sent further along the technological chain.
An excellent technique for refining and laying in storage, the absence of which is already for many fast-growing domestic potato growers the main limiting factor in the planning and conduct of harvesting, especially in our difficult weather conditions.
From year to year, increasing the area and number of combines, only a few timely acquire new receiving bins, and even with a margin in productivity, which allows to qualitatively refine almost any potato coming from the field without creating queues from machines when unloading and, consequently, downtime harvesters in the field.
By the way, the ratios of the exhibition and demonstration areas, as well as the number of equipment samples presented, are also a certain indicator showing who is currently the industry leader.
Equipment for creating a microclimate, a reliable ventilation system - this is what modern production cannot be imagined without. Anything that will help keep potatoes for the required period, with minimal losses.
And as a logical conclusion of the entire technological cycle - a demonstration of filling and packaged equipment, which allows many manufacturers to enter a qualitatively new level of guaranteed product sales.
Seed potatoes, which is by far the most important link in production success, were widely represented at the exhibition by leading world producers. Now new varieties, many of which we hope to see on domestic priests, in comparison with those already well-established, allow us to look to the future with optimism.
World breeding has long embarked on the creation of varieties that less painfully tolerate a lack of moisture and high temperatures, while maintaining high yields and marketability.
One of the interesting and already clearly necessary solutions for many domestic manufacturers of solutions is portable equipment for local accounting of the main meteorological indicators, their assessment, watering planning and protective treatments.
The information obtained from the demonstration plantings of companies engaged in the production of green manure seeds is very useful. And although the prices of similar domestic material are much more attractive, the approach to integrated, thoughtful and focused work in this direction is very impressive, and allows you to adapt individual elements to the conditions of a particular production.
And at the forum held during the exhibition, not only technological nuances were covered.
Economic analysis of the European potato market and forecasts for its development in the near future are no less interesting.
According to leading experts, this year the gross harvest of potatoes in Germany will be about 9 million tons. With the minimum required amount for domestic consumption of about 10 million tons. Of course, in the current situation it is not necessary to talk about a high share of exports. For comparison, last year about 12 million tons were produced in this country, but a decrease of 15% in the area under planting and adverse weather conditions this season made their own adjustments.
Do not wait for large deliveries from other European countries. In Holland, Belgium, France, the crop is 5-10% less than planned. All these factors have now led to higher potato prices in Europe.
The current price level is likely to lead to an increase in the sown area of manufacturers from Egypt. Of Israel. Morocco.
Accordingly, the spring offer of new potatoes will be more than usual, and it will arrive a little earlier. It is difficult to say how much this, relatively small volume can affect the spring price of potatoes in Russia. But the quality of the seed material brought to our country will not be affected for the better.
The first shipments of the highest quality seed material are made in November, just for producers from the southern countries. And an increase in shipments in that direction, due to the planned increase in areas, will exacerbate the already pressing problem of the quality of seed potatoes shipped to our country in March - April.
So this year there are no prerequisites for lowering the price of potatoes imported from Europe and improving its quality.
As you can see, even from a simple visit to the exhibition, you can get a lot of interesting information - both for strategic planning and for work in the near future.
Agree, it is not at all necessary to attend such events just to conclude contracts. The main goal and task for many producers is the opportunity to look “beyond the horizon” and understand how the potato industry will develop in the world in the near future and in our country, one way or another integrated into the world economy. What can and should be done in order to get ahead of the competition at least one step (and there is no need for more) in a few years.
Well, our short tour of the exhibition in Hanover has come to an end. See you next year, at the next PotatoEurope in Belgium, which will undoubtedly become no less informative and interesting for all of us.