Potato processors hit the brakes, source elsewhere

The Dutch potato processors further reduced their production in November. This primarily affected the processing of Dutch potatoes. The supply from abroad remained stable. In November, the Dutch factories processed a total of 288,000 tons of potatoes, according to figures from the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (Vavi). This amount is 12% smaller than the 327,300 tons last year in the same month. Half of the volume processed last month came from abroad. Thus, the processing of these potatoes is hardly less than that of last November. Compared to previous years, more imported potatoes have been processed. The volume of Dutch potatoes in processing fell last month to 146,300 tons. This amount is 20% smaller than in November last year. Over a longer period, the processing of Dutch potatoes in November fluctuates between 170,000 and 230,000 tons. Decrease in end product limited Although the potato flow to the factory decreased by more than 10% compared to 2024, the decline in end product was limited to less than 8 percent. The production of pre-fried products fell by just under 10% to 139,000 tons, while other products increased by over 3% to 27,800 tons. The yield from the potatoes thus comes to 58% compared to 55% last year. The total production of pre-fried products from July to November amounts to nearly 690,000 tons. This amount is 3% smaller than in the same period last year. The production of other products increased by 8% during this period to 123,000 tons. The total potato processing from July to November remains this year at just under 1.45 million tons. This amount is nearly 6% smaller than last year. In 2024, there was already a decrease of 4% in this period compared to 2023. Thus, the decline in processing over two years is calculated at nearly 10%.