It’s unusual, to say the least, for a record harvest to cause frustration among farmers. This phenomenon is currently being observed among potato growers throughout Germany, writes Falko Bastos in a news story published by Allgemeine Zeitung.

Fabian Wigger, a farmer from Letteran, can confirm this. “The yields are excellent. We have 20 percent more tubers per plant.”

The reason, he says, is the almost ideal weather for potatoes this year – with sufficient moisture during tuber formation. At the same time, however, the cultivated area has also increased, which is now leading to a very large market supply that is driving down prices. “That’s obviously bad for sales,” he says.

Especially for those who sell to retailers. Because retailers can now dictate dumping prices. That’s why reports are already circulating of farmers letting their potatoes rot in the fields because harvesting them isn’t worthwhile – or taking them directly to biogas plants. Wigger finds that unacceptable. Given world hunger, he says, that’s “a waste and defeats the purpose.” The quality of the tubers is also exceptionally good. “I couldn’t live with the thought of ruining that.”

Fortunately for him, he can cope with the situation better than others. With his family’s farm shop, he relies almost exclusively on direct marketing. Only a small portion of the harvest goes to retailers in Lette. Nevertheless, he also has to adjust his farm shop to the lower prices in the grocery retail sector. He has to reduce prices by 30 to 35 cents per kilo.

Farmer Christoph Homann from Coesfeld, who also relies on direct marketing, feels less affected than other farmers, partly due to the modest quantities of potatoes he grows.

For Fabian Wigger, however, the sheer volume is proving to be a real challenge. “It’s insane. All the storage facilities are full,” he says. “We’ve never experienced anything like this before.” He was still harvesting potatoes on Monday. “They’re still on the tipper truck. We don’t even know where to put them yet.”

Source: Allgemeine Zeitung. Original story here
Image: Credit Allgemeine Zeitung