Maltese potatoes are not expected to arrive in the Netherlands before Easter, reports Kees Schouten of Altena Potatoes, who is currently visiting his suppliers. "They began killing off the foliage this week, then they'll harvest the first potatoes," he says.
"Those potatoes will arrive at our facilities next week. Unfortunately, we won't be able to capitalize on Easter sales this year. Hopefully, we'll get them before the arrivals from Spain and France," Kees continues. "The Santé potatoes look good, though the situation varies per field for the Alpha variety."
Incredibly, this year has seen a 20% decrease in potato cultivation in Malta. "There's a huge demand for land, and many plots are being sold for apartment construction. Land is extremely expensive; it's almost like Amsterdam."
"But we should still sell a nice volume of Maltese potatoes. Demand isn't the issue. The phone is ringing off the hook with people asking when we can start," Kees concludes.
For more information:
Kees Schouten
Altena Potatoes
15 Veensesteeg
4264 KG, Veen, NL
Tel.: +31 (0) 416 691 241
Mob.: +31 (0) 653 127 488
[email protected]
www.altenapotatoes.com