DCA Market Intelligence publishes every week the benchmark spot prices (DCA-SF) and forward prices for French Fry Potatoes (DCA-SFF).
The DCA-SF is a composite Benchmark Price. Therefore, the specifications of the individual prices included in the calculations apply.
The DCA-SF Benchmark Price is the weekly acreage-weighted average of the (average price) of the countries Germany (Reka), France (RNM), Belgium (PCA/Fiwap and Belgapom), and the Netherlands (PotatoNL and DCA PAT-Index). The DCA-SFF Benchmark Prices are weekly calculated forward prices based on the DCA-SF Benchmark Price, taking into account a storage fee per week until the moment of 'delivery' on the last Friday of the respective forward month.
In the calculation of DCA-SF, direct delivery is assumed in the week of the benchmark price. For DCA-SFF prices, delivery is calculated for the last Friday of the respective forward month.
The DCA-SF is a composite Benchmark Price. Therefore, the specifications of the individual prices included in the calculations apply.
Euro per 100 kilograms rounded to €0.01 (one cent)
Every Friday afternoon, the quotations for the current week are collected. The DCA-SF benchmark price is calculated for the current week based on the prices collected during that week. If there is no (partial) price for the respective country during that week, the previous (partial) price is used, up to a maximum of 3 weeks back. After that, the country is no longer included in the calculation. If there are no prices available for more than one country in this manner, the calculation of DCA-SF for that week is not made until such prices are available again. The DCA-SF benchmark price for a season begins as soon as a price can be determined in three out of the four countries. The end of a season is determined around mid-July, after which no more DCA-SF benchmark price are recorded for that harvest year.
The DCA Spot Benchmark Price for French fry potatoes (DCA-SF) is calculated based on the main price in the following regions:
| Germany | Reka; 'Industrieware' 40+ and/or Fontane/Challenger, Innovator, and Agria |
| France | RNM; Fontane |
| Belgium | PCA/Fiwap; field crop suitable for fries and/or Fontane, Challenger, and Belgapom, field crop suitable for fries and/or Fontane, Challenger |
| The Netherlands | PotatoNL; Category I + quotations for fresh, 'fast food,' and 'Regular' fries, and the DCA PAT-Index |
For price ranges, the average of those two prices is calculated.
For each country, weighting is based on the size of the acreage under consumption potatoes for the current harvest year.
For the 2023/2024 season, the following area figures are used:
| Cultivated area consumption potatoes | ha | % |
| Gemany | 189.810 | 36,58 |
| France | 156.940 | 30,25 |
| Belgium | 96.639 | 18,62 |
| The Netherlands | 75.484 | 14,55 |
| Total cultivated area | 518.873 | 100 |
For each new season, the parameters in this document are redefined by DCA Market Intelligence.
Multiple prices within a country are equally weighted, and the average is taken as the price of that country.
Prices for 35 millimeters and above are converted to 40 millimeters and above prices with a surcharge of €0,20. This surcharge/conversion factor is determined annually by DCA Market Intelligence.
The final benchmark price is determined on Friday at 15:00 CET. Subsequently, the DCA-SF Benchmark Price for that week is established and published via platforms including Boerenbusiness.nl. This online platform is part of the DCA Market Intelligence organisation.
The DCA-forward benchmark prices for French fry potatoes (DCA-SFF) are calculated daily based on the spot price (DCA-SF). The Forward benchmark prices are determined and published weekly immediately after the calculation of the DCA-SF Benchmark Price. If no DCA-SF Benchmark Price can be determined, then no forward prices are calculated.
A surcharge of €0,30 per week is calculated up to week 17 in a year. For the weeks thereafter, a charge of €0.60 per week is calculated for the costs of keeping the specified potatoes in stock.
Forward prices are calculated for each remaining month of the season. Delivery is assumed on the last Friday of the month.
If the above procedures cannot be applied for any reason, then the management of DCA Market Intelligence decides how the final benchmark price for that week is determined or decides not to establish a benchmark price for that week, providing justification for the decision.
Version: March 2024