Smart Storage, Better Returns in 2025

The new storage season for table potatoes is now in full swing. After a growing season with relatively good yields, but also clear regional differences, growers are now focusing on storing their crops as energy-efficiently and quality-oriented as possible. Given the current market conditions, it is more important than ever to align the storage strategy with both technical and economic circumstances.

Storage and Energy Costs: Significant Differences Between Farms

The storage costs for table potatoes vary widely between farms. Factors such as the type of storage facility, level of insulation, presence of mechanical cooling, and storage duration all play a significant role. This makes it difficult to provide an exact cost price.

As a guideline, the Dutch Arable Farming Association (NAV) indicates that storage costs for potatoes delivered in April (without mechanical cooling) average around 17% of the total cost price of fries potatoes. These storage costs are distributed as follows:

• 35% for sprout inhibitors
• 35% for depreciation, interest, and maintenance of the storage facility
• 25% for energy (ventilation)
• 5% for handling

This distribution highlights that saving on energy costs is useful, but a good storage strategy and the use of sprout inhibitors have a major impact on the final result.

Smart Ventilation is Key to Energy Savings

Storage cost savings can be achieved in two ways: spending less or ensuring more remains at the end of storage. For the first option, smarter ventilation is particularly helpful. The key is to ventilate at the right moment with the right air quality, keeping the internal climate optimal while using minimal energy.

Modern climate computers perform this far better than manually switching fans on and off. After proper wound healing — the foundation for an optimal storage period — it is advisable to work with short ventilation intervals using colder outside air and limited internal ventilation. This reduces both energy consumption and weight loss.

Storage facilities with variable-speed EC fans can ventilate at, for example, 80% of full speed once the product has reached the desired temperature. This reduces power consumption to 50% of a traditional AC fan without compromising product quality.

Another interesting development is the use of smart storage computers linked to dynamic energy contracts (Epex). Ventilation and cooling are automatically scheduled when electricity prices are low or weather conditions are favorable, taking into account deviations between the actual and target temperatures. This allows for cost savings without sacrificing quality.

Precise Temperature Control Saves More Than Energy

Although energy accounts for only a quarter of total storage costs, even small improvements can make a significant contribution. Equally important is maintaining a tight storage temperature. This keeps the batch calmer, reduces weight loss, and limits the need for additional sprout inhibitors.

Keeping the product temperature “tight and stable” preserves dormancy longer and may allow for fewer sprout inhibitor treatments. Three instead of four treatments can save 9% of total storage costs, leaving more profit at the end.

Good temperature control is often achievable in autumn and winter using outside air ventilation, but as spring approaches, mechanical cooling becomes increasingly important. Without cooling, costs from weight loss and sprout inhibition can rise significantly.

Harvest Quality: Good, But With Considerations

Overall, the quality of the stored potatoes this year is good: high yields and low rot. However, the submerged weight is high, making tubers more prone to damage during harvesting and storage — especially in Belgium and the southwest of the Netherlands, where conditions were drier.

Even small harvest damages can lead to additional weight loss in storage. The advice is to dry only as much as necessary and ensure proper wound healing. At 15 °C, wound healing takes about 3 weeks, and at 12 °C, around 30 days. Good wound healing is the foundation for an optimal storage period. Varieties prone to rot should be dried thoroughly to ensure the skin is dry.

Storing in the Current Potato Market

Due to low market prices, some growers are choosing to store potatoes temporarily. While possible, this often means storage conditions are not fully optimal. Early potatoes or batches from less insulated barns are usually not suitable for long-term storage. In such cases, selling on time is often the best advice.

Growers accustomed to long-term storage should not change their strategy now. In an uncertain market, top quality remains the strongest asset: batches with defects are difficult to sell.

Finally, it is unwise to cut corners on ventilation. Insufficient airflow increases the risk of rot, CO₂ accumulation, and quality loss. The key is not less ventilation, but smarter ventilation using good equipment and smart climate computers. Optimal ventilation allows for savings on energy and sprout inhibitors, while keeping potatoes in top condition until delivery.