French and Germans buy more Dutch potatoes

The Dutch export of consumption and industrial potatoes to EU countries was larger in September than last year. Especially Germany and France purchased more potatoes from the Netherlands. The total Dutch potato export to EU countries amounts to 32,358 tons in September, according to figures from the Dutch Potato Organization. Compared to last year, this amount is larger, but it is considerably less than in previous years. This is caused by a lower demand in Belgium. The southern neighbors are often good for a take-up of 25,000 to 35,000 tons in September, but this year the count is stuck at just 18,564 tons. If Belgium drops out, there is little left for Dutch exporters to do. In that light, it is a plus that France and Germany bought a nice amount last month. The Germans took the largest amount after Belgium, with 6,384 tons. Notable The greater sales to Germany and France are all the more remarkable as both countries are achieving record harvests. Last year, the Germans barely bought 700 tons in the Netherlands in September. France is buying more than double that of last year, with 4,326 tons this year. Malta, Spain, and Romania have also imported more potatoes from the Netherlands. Among the African countries, Ivory Coast and Mali have also purchased more potatoes than a year ago. However, the export to Senegal is much smaller. This West African country prefers onions and, despite the many lower prices, is buying less potatoes. As a result, the export to Africa is more than a third smaller than last year. All in all, the Netherlands exported nearly 46,000 tons of potatoes last month. That is a fraction more than last year, but normally more than 60,000 tons is exported quickly.