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September 13 2007, 13:09

Potato production increase in EU-15 will lead to the dramatic price decline

Ebronisze.pl portal, Informational Sponsor of the fourth international conference "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2007. Meeting New Leader", informs that the significant increase of potato production is expected in EU-15 due to the extended potato cultivation areas up to 1.18 mln. ha and the increased average yield. The analysts forecast the average wholesale potato prices to decline EUR270 down to EUR120 per ton, i.e. more than twice. We'd like to point out that the reduction of potato cultivation areas, specialized for potato starch production, is observed in EU-15. This potato is grown on the area of just 205,500 ha this season. The largest potato acreage in EU-15 is recorded in Germany (183,500 ha), Great Britain (141,000 ha) and France (131,000 ha). The farmers - potato growers get the highest potato yield in Netherlands and Germany (more than 41 t/ha); Great Britain (40.5 t/ha), France (39.4 t/ha) and Belgium (38.5 t/ha). Past year the average potato yield amounted to 33.4 t/ha in EU 15. However, this year it will increase 8.5%, according to the tentative estimations. The yield is expected to increase even 10-15% in some countries. To compare: according to the data of the official statistics, around 1.1.6 mln. of ha are planted with potato in Ukraine (i.e. more than in EU-15 countries altogether), the average potato harvest exceeds 18 mln. tons per year, the average yield is 11.6 tons/ha. The perspectives of potato market in Ukraine and Russia in the context of world market situation will be in focus of attention during the conferences "Fruits&Vegetable Business of Russia 2007" to be held October 23rd-25th 2007 on the territory of "Expocenter" in Moscow, and "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2007. Meeting New Leader", to be held on December 4th-6th 2007 on the territory of the National Complex "Expocenter of Ukraine" in Kyiv.