AgroPages-Spain: "There is still no viable alternative to chlorpropham"-Agricultural news

The 1st Conference on the Future of Potatoes in Spain dealt with several essential issues, emphasising the future positioning of the Spanish potato as a reference product in Europe. The event, organised at the Patatas Meléndez facilities, brought together almost two hundred professionals.

One of the topics discussed was the imminent ban on the anti-germinating agent CIPC (chlorpropham). This anti-germinant used in the tuber industry to prevent germination during storage has been banned by the European Commission as it has not obtained the renewal of its authorisation. EU Member States will withdraw authorisations for all plant protection products containing chlorpropham as an active substance, with a deadline of 8 October 2020.

"Alternatives such as ethylene or peppermint extract have been studied for years, but the results are not yet conclusive. The increase in the cost of these phytosanitary products is a real stumbling block", points out Cosme Catalán. "Likewise, storing potatoes at low temperatures to extend their useful life exposes them to unleashing levels of acrylamide that exceed what is established by European regulations", he adds.

"Another way to shorten the storage period of the potato is to stagger the seasons by choosing varieties adapted to each growing area and climatology. This means that potatoes can be offered almost all year round. However, during the months of January, February and March it is inevitable to import if we want to continue supplying the market", continues the Manager of Patatas Catalán.

During the day a round table was organized "Potato prices for farmers and the value chain", debating the different players in the chain.

"It is necessary to provide price stability in the sector. Only by generating better control will we achieve stability for each link in the chain, including farmers. In a traditional agricultural sector, as is still the case with potatoes, concluding contracts is vital. Some farmers are still reluctant and still see the potato as a speculative product with which to make money. The opposite is often the case today. Regulating these flows would bring stability to prices and markets," explains Cosme Catalán.

Patatas Catalán produces 65,000 tonnes of potatoes a year with the total thickness of the group exceeding 150,000 tonnes. It is currently creating new facilities with optimum humidity and temperature control to supply fresh new potato for 2 or 3 weeks.
"Humidity and temperature are vital, but also avoiding mechanical damage, which is common in field harvesting", comments Cosme Catalán.

According to the Manager of Patatas Catalán, current prices are not the result of lower heat consumption: "There was a vacuum in the market since May. Prices are high due to the lack of conservation potato. All the harvested potato has been sent to the rest of Europe, raising prices. The result has been to curb consumption because of the price and not because of the rise in temperatures".

"Spain needs to continue to improve quality and continue to gain market share in order to compete with the best, as is the case in France, instead of focusing on third countries with another type of potato that is not comparable", concludes Cosme Catalán.