Open market frozen fries price dropping ever lower

The open market price for deep frozen French fries continue to drop, albeit at a slightly slower pace. It is mainly the Dutch quotation that caused another price reduction for week 12. The other DCA Frozen Fries Indexes remained unchanged.The Open Market Index, which is fed by the Fontane potato variety, bears the brunt of the recent decline in prices. It now sits at €474.29 per tonne. That is a reduction of €7 or 1.5%. This price reflects a cost price for French fry producers in the EU4 countries. Things such as labour, storage, transport and a margin are not taken into consideration.Cheaper potatoesAnother price reduction in week 12 all came down to the DCA EU-4 Potato Index, which decreased to €354.73 per tonne, from €361.09 per tonne. A €6.36 or 1.75%. Other ingredients – sunflower oil and natural gas – remained virtually unchanged.Free-buy raw potato prices have stabilised in recent weeks across much of Europe. It is mainly the Dutch PotatoNL quotation that showed a decrease, which is due to the fact that lower bids from processors were taken into account when the quotation from last Monday was formed. Belgium even saw a price increase, as the quoted price from Viaverda lifted from €150 to €175 per tonne.Early seasonAs spring races through much of Northwestern Europe the potato planters are also out in the field. Up until now it has been an easy-going season, with field work taking place in good condition. The starting position for the 2025 potato is in most cases a lot better than it has been in recent years.