PRODUCTION
Basic seed potatoes
We produce our own basic seed potatoes. We purchase minitubers in an excellent laboratory in the Netherlands and multiply them on our own land to prebasic, basic and certified seeds. We try to limit the generations in the field to 4-5. If needed we will also buy basic seed material from selected companies in Scotland and the Netherlands.
Organic seed potatoes
The organic potato seeds are produced by contract growers. Their farms and fields have been certified according to EU organic regulation or are in the process of conversion. The process of seed certification follows the same rules as for the certification of conventional seeds. Jens and Carsten Mohr GmbH & Co KG is certified as a trader of organic vegetable and potato potatoes (DE-ÖKO-006 ABCERT).
Cultivation
We grow our seed potatoes in the marsh soils along the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein, one of the best cultivation regions of Europe. Our crop rotations of winter wheat, winter barley and winter rape are grown on over 800 hectares of our own land and leased land, and our potatoes are only cultivated in those same fields every 4 to 5 years. Our partner companies also have many years’ experience of potato-growing and apply top quality standards.
Technical equipment
Our companies always possess the latest technology. This is how we are able to grow our produce both carefully and yet successfully. When planting the seeds, we already use the necessary plant protection products. During the vegetation season, trained specialists monitor the stocks and implement early intervention measures to ensure the good health of the potatoes. When harvesting, we use high-performance potato harvesters, thus guaranteeing that the seed potatoes are handled carefully. Finally, thanks to the fact that the marsh soils in which we grow our produce are completely free of stones, we are able to harvest top-class goods that are suitable for storage.
Storage
Following the harvest, the potatoes are cleaned in a soil remover. On the sorting belt, we then remove foreign objects and damaged potatoes by hand. By doing so, we ensure that only healthy potatoes reach the warehouse. The potatoes are stored in our ventilated and air-conditioned storehouses, in bulk or crates in which each level is kept at the ideal temperature, so that the tubers maintain the right germination capacity and power.
Quality control
Constant quality controls are undertaken by our own staff in addition to the controls performed by the competent authorities, thus ensuring that every step in the production process is in line with national and international standards. In this manner, we can guarantee that only top-quality produce makes it to our clients’ tables.
Certification
We firmly believe that our products must respect German and international standards. Since 2005, our company has been awarded Global GAP certification. The seed potatoes are also regularly certified in accordance with the German seed potato regulation, which takes into consideration the import rules of the countries we export our products to. In addition, we follow the rules issued by RUCIP and EUROPATAT in terms of standards and processes.
Location
Our cultivated areas are located at maximum 10 km from the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein, in the marsh regions of Dithmarschen and North Friesland. This area presents healthy conditions for potato-growing. Thanks to the cool North Sea climate, its dominant westerly winds, and medium-heavy soils, it is one of the best potato-growing regions in Europe. Moreover, it is located a mere 120 km away from the Port of Hamburg, so we can deliver fresh products across the globe very quickly.
Soil
The soil in the region is marsh or clay soil, formed over thousands of years by means of tidal deposits. It is deep, free of stones and fertile. This land has been used for farming for over 1,000 years, but some areas were only dyked 40 years ago and transformed into farmland at that time. In addition to potato-growing, the region is also a very good location to grow vegetables, especially carrots and both red and white cabbage.
Climate
The mild winters and summers in the region, as well as sufficient waterfall throughout the year ensure an even production of potatoes. Peak temperatures seldom reach over 25°C and precipitations total approx. 800 mm a year, steadily distributed over the entire period.
REGION
