Exports of seed potatoes from the Netherlands amounted to 491 tons at the end of February, up 24 tons from a year earlier, according to the online publication NieuweOogst.
The Potato Organization of the Netherlands reports that the increase in sales was provided by countries in Africa. Algeria purchased just over 85 tons of seed potatoes, 41 tons more than in 2021. The decrease in purchases in 2021 was due to the country's financial difficulties. Now this gap appears to be filled. Egypt purchased 46 tons of Dutch seed potatoes, up 50% from last year. Sales of seed potatoes to Asia this year have become noticeably lower.
Until the end of February, sales of Dutch seed material in the EU exceeded the previous year. In total, the EU countries shipped 188 thousand tons this season, 11 tons more than last year.
In general, deliveries to the EU are planned at the level of 400 thousand tons. Belgium and Germany decided to purchase the required volumes of seed potatoes earlier than last season.