It's a season one of fits and starts. Egypt dominated the sweet potato market for the past few months, but recently, supply has been scarce. "Egypt has already sent most of its volume, but we expect to receive sweet potatoes from there until at least June-July, just like last season," says Robert Voskamp. "There have been high peaks and deep troughs and back again. But as long there's zero regulation of Egyptian cultivation, that will probably always be the case."
"We had a good quality Egyptian season. That, in fact, improves annually. Much of the supply used to consist of the Beauregard variety, but that's largely transitioned to Bellevue, a much nicer variety," Robert explains. "Over the past few years, Egyptian growers have gained plenty of ground at the expense of their Spanish and American counterparts. In those markets, the acreage decreases every year. That should shrink further in Spain next year."
"We received the first sweet potatoes from the United States in December; that will continue until July-August. Cultivation went well, but because the local market is excellent, fewer North American sweet potatoes come this way. So, prices will probably remain high for some time," Robert continues.
"Sweet potato cultivation is being tested in many countries, including the Netherlands, where growers pool resources like harvest machines and washing installations. However, it's not easy to grow sweet potatoes, and the climate and cost structure make it difficult for growers in Northwest Europe to compete. In Egypt, the sun shines for free. That country is also quite close to Europe, with great logistical connections. And that's not even mentioning land and labor prices. I see opportunities for Dutch sweet potato sales, mainly in the local market. For export, added value must primarily be created regarding the minimal use of crop protection products and that it's 'locally' or European produced."
French potatoes, another specialty of the company, are selling very well this year, too. "Just like last year, there's a severe shortage of new potatoes. The cultivation conditions have been terrible, and the quality isn't what we're used to. Prices, though, are unprecedented," Robert concludes. Rola Fresh sells most of its trade to Dutch exporters. The main export destinations are Scandinavia, the Baltic States, and Poland.
