With the past few weeks and months being extremely dry, Luxembourg's potatoes have stopped growing. A good number of farmers have therefore had to take a solid hit this year. That applies to pretty much every variety of potato.
For consumers, it means a lot more peeling, since the potatoes have come in so small. Making chips could also prove tricky, according to Fred Huet, president of the Rural Museum Binsfeld interest association. There will be no long chips this year, he said. A great deal, he added, depends on the variety, though for eating and feed potatoes a shortfall of around 30% can be expected.
Around 100 helpers turned out on Sunday morning to bring in the potatoes, with the entire crop gathered by lunchtime. At the potato festival, there were also plenty of tractors to admire, with a range of brands on display. The German brand Hanomag took top billing at this edition of the festival. Hailing from Hanover, the tractor brand carries real collector's value.
The next potato harvest at Binsfeld is scheduled for Sunday 5 September 2027.
