REPORT At this moment, the average price of land in the district of Christchurch is approximately 30,000 NZ dollars, which is about 14,000 euros per hectare. In addition, there is no cause for stress when the lifting season starts, Lepoutre explains. ‘Because of the gravel in the subsoil, the water drains away very quickly, and a few hours after a shower, one can start lifting again. ’ Fast growing Every year, Lepoutre is again surprised that crops grow so very quickly in this country. ‘It is too fast really, because we don’t have enough time to select the seed. The foliage is already fully-grown four weeks after planting. But fast growth also has advantages: there is no need for weed control here. ’ The Dutch growers in New Zealand swear by planting entire tubers. That is much safer than using cut seed, they say. For growing varieties for the processing industry such as Shepody, Russet Burbank and Russet Ranger, growers use seed that has been cut. What is noticeable in Lepoutre’s cultivation method is that he plants nearly 90,000 tubers per hectare in 1.8 m wide beds. In addition, he plants everything that is between 28 to 70 mm in size. ‘This means that we easily plant 10 tons of seed per hectare with our Koningsplanter. If we first grade the seed and plant them afterwards, we have a lower yield than if we plant the entire field crop’ , is Lepoutre’s experience in New Zealand. To plant one hectare of seed potatoes according to this method, the New Zealander spends approximately 15,000 NZ dollars. That is nearly 6,500 euros per hectare. ’ A great deal of attention keeps disease away ‘What I like best is growing small in-vitro plants. We breed them ourselves with great care in our greenhouse. We plant them when they are big enough, and lift them by hand after the growing season. We subsequently build up seed potato lines every time after having planted seven varieties. The same happens with clonal selection. This material is used to supply the growers to whom Eurogrow sells new planting stock in New Zealand’ , says Lepoutre very proudly. ‘This intensive way of working with a crop really appeals to me’ , Lepoutre explains. ‘By spending enormous amounts of time and energy on a crop, and by using clonal selection as we do, we can keep diseases such as Erwinia at bay. ’ This also applies to his viticulture, another passion of his. The cultivation of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes for the production of wine fits into Lepoutre’s total company strategy. ‘I am of the opinion that both with wine and with potatoes, 90 percent of their quality is accomplished in the field’ Every year, Tinus and Mieke Lepoutre are surprised that crops grow so very quickly in this country that he had a lot more peace and quiet in the Netherlands than here in New Zealand. ‘In the old days, we didn’t have an awful lot to do when we had finished ploughing the fields and sowing the winter wheat during the winter period. We are now busy on every single day of the year. ’ . Looking back on his life in the Netherlands compared to that in New Zealand, he comes to the conclusion New Zealand potato sector Seed potatoes 1995 2000 2005 2006 1.249 1.306 1.276 1.259 Table potatoes 5.043 4.085 3.279 3.392 Potato production of New Zealand (In ha – Source: Potatoes New Zealand) Year Processed Total 4.456 5.250 6.734 5.885 Export of processed products (Source: Statistics New Zealand) Year 2006 2007 2008 Volume (tons) 66.530 89.169 72.734 Value (NZ dollars) 59.506.177 80.538.798 63.744.25 10.478 10.642 11.289 10.534 The 290 New Zealand growers mainly grow their potatoes in the districts of Pukekohe, Canterbury and Manawatu. The acreage in which the approximately 500,000 tons of potatoes are grown, has been stable at 10,000 hectares for some years now. Four million New Zealanders consume approximately 67 kg of potatoes per head of the population each year. This means that approximately 260,000 tons are eaten in New Zealand; the remainder is exported, mainly as processed products. After having increased until 2007, exports dropped in 2008 from 89,169 tons to 72,734 tons. The most important market is Australia, followed at a distance by Japan. The export of seed potatoes never really exceeds 290 tons a year. Potato World 2009 • number 4 29 Pagina 28
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