Agra Claessens will start selling its first new potatoes today. While this time of year is mostly associated with asparagus and strawberries, in the Moerzeke region of East Flanders, people are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first Moese Patatten, a recognised Flemish regional specialty. “Had it not been for Easter, we might have waited a little longer, but they’re looking very good, and we didn’t want to deprive people of the delicious combination of new potatoes and asparagus on the Easter menu,” says Stijn Windey of Agra Claessens.
Moese Potatoes are traditionally grown in the bend of the Scheldt River, where early potatoes, grown under foil or in greenhouses, are better protected from spring frosts. “Because of that, we’ve suffered slightly less from the cold compared to other regions on higher sandy soils. That’s part of what makes Moese potatoes special. Traditionally, we were the first in Flanders to harvest potatoes, and the clay soil here gives the potatoes just a bit more flavour than others,” explains the Moerzeke-based grower. “Twenty years ago, we were among the first in the region to start growing early potatoes in greenhouses, but since then, early cultivation has become more common in Tholen and across Flanders. Still, we’ve been able to start earlier again this year compared to last season.”
Only after Easter to retail and wholesale
Stijn is satisfied with the quality. “They look very good. We managed to plant on time and didn’t have particularly cold weather. It was a bit damp until February, but we stayed on schedule, and the flavour is excellent. It’s great to be able to offer them already. That said, these first volumes from the greenhouse are still very limited, and we are only marketing them locally. We expect to begin supplying wholesalers and retail from next week, once larger volumes become available.”
Stijn Windey and wife Greet Claessens
Stijn has also noticed that demand for the new harvest begins early. “People sometimes call as early as February to ask if there are new potatoes available. Of course, there are imports from Cyprus, Malta, and elsewhere by late February or early March. These are sold with a sign saying ‘new potatoes’, which makes people think harvesting is already happening here, too. That’s not the case, of course, but it does whet people’s appetites, so when we finally start, everyone is quick to show up.” It’s soon on the doorstep.”
These initial volumes are very much local. “We’re careful about where we sell the first batches. These potatoes aren’t yet skin-stable, so they need to be sold and consumed within a few days. If they sit in a shop for too long, their shelf life appears shorter, and that’s not what we want. That’s why we prefer very short sales cycles at the moment, to make sure they’re used properly. For other deliveries, we’ll wait until the skins are firmer, so they can be stored longer. Our name is attached to them, after all, so we want to ensure optimal quality.”
Good connection
“So now people in the region can already enjoy asparagus in traditional Flemish style this Easter,” Stijn continues. “Asparagus pairs perfectly with delicious new potatoes. After Easter, we expect to start with larger volumes. Prices are still very high at the moment. Nothing has come to the auctions yet, so availability is very limited. Not everyone wants to start at those high prices, but I expect that, with the good weather forecasts, greenhouse potatoes will be available in large volumes soon, followed by outdoor-grown ones.”
“In fact, we planted the outdoor potatoes, under protective cover, in the first days of March, and they’re already looking neat. They’re starting to close the rows, so I expect those will be ready for the market in about a month. The trick is to get everything to line up, but I think things will come together nicely this year, assuming we don’t get a downpour like last year that washes everything away. Under normal circumstances, we remain optimistic.”
For more information:
Stijn Windey
Agra Claessens
Bootdijkstraat 23A
9220 Moerzeke, Belgium
Tel: +32 472 47 51 38
[email protected]
www.agraclaessens.be
