The new export season of 2022 is about to start and we at Atzmona Potato Manufacturing just started collecting the first spuds, getting ready to ship them to our customers all over Europe.
One thing is already clearly evident, this year will pose special challenges to everybody involved in the potato supply chain. We have seen early signs that uncertain potato quality due to harsh weather conditions last summer and suboptimal harvest conditions will lead to an earlier-than-usual demand for imported potatoes.
We feel obligated to respond to customers requests and advance the supply this season. Clearly, this season will be very challenging due to a combination of extreme weather events.
Heavy rains and floods in Central European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium, harmed part of the potato crop and affected the available product quality.
Last month, southern Israel, where most local potato growers operate, was hit by ground frost. After two days the damage could be seen on the plant’s foliage. As a result, the plant strives to preserve its existing tubers in the soil instead of investing resources in development. The cold will undoubtedly have affected the size of the product as well as the overall crop per hectare.
Packers are busy calculating the produce in storage and adjusting it to remaining consumption months. The challenging global logistical obstacles contribute their share to requests for adjusting shipment size and early delivery.
In any case, our logistics department has prepared a special line-up to meet future interest in order to provide European customers with fresh produce of excellent quality.
In one week, Atzmona’s growers will start collecting table and baby potatoes designated for shipping to the Spanish market. This harvest, Atzmona’s earliest ever, was undertaken to meet a special request from a Spanish retailer.
Our growers are also currently preparing to start harvesting spuds of the Georgina and Orchestra varieties, which are preferred by European consumers. Customers are showing specific interest in the Maris Piper variety and small cooking potatoes.
