Swiss French fry potato quality below expectations

Switzerland has a large potato harvest, but the quality of the fries potatoes leaves something to be desired this year. This is reported by the industry organization Swisspatat. Switzerland has about 3,900 potato producers. They cultivate the crop this year on 11,029 hectares (+3% compared to 2024). The harvest is estimated this year at 450,000 tons. The estimate is based on the assessment of a thousand sample tests. That is a large harvest, as production in the past five years barely exceeded 400,000 tons. The gross yields average about 46.3 tons per hectare. The net yields are estimated at 39.3 tons per hectare. This makes the yields 17% better than the average in the previous five years. The yields of organic potatoes are estimated at a net 29.1 tons per hectare. Thus, the organic potatoes yield more than a third more than the five-year average of 21.6 tons per hectare. The external quality of the potatoes is rated as above average good. However, the internal quality of the fries potatoes is causing some headaches. For example, the starch content is 14.5%, which is one percentage point lower than last year. Moreover, the frying quality is somewhat lacking here and there. Normally, Swiss production meets 85% of its own needs. The large harvest ensures that the supply of domestic potatoes is good to very good this year. Except for the fries potatoes, Swisspatat points out. Guideline prices The guideline prices for the common table potatoes have been set slightly lower this year due to the large harvest and stable demand compared to the average. For waxy varieties, the guideline price including VAT is set at just under €57, and for floury €52 per 100 kilos. For organic potatoes, the price is €99 per 100 kilos. For fries and chip potatoes, the fixed prices are at the same level as last year. For Fontane, the price is €53 per 100 kilos 42.5 millimeters upwards including VAT. Innovator (€52) is slightly below that, while for Agria (€55) the highest prices are paid. Chips potatoes yield just a little more.