November records smallest potato export since 2009

The export of consumption potatoes was in November the smallest since 2009. Both within and outside Europe, sales are decreasing. Especially given the low prices at this moment. The total export remains at 57,177 tonnes in November this year, according to figures from the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO). This volume is more than 20,000 tonnes smaller than in the same month last year. Belgium, Germany, and France have taken less potatoes from the Netherlands. They have a large harvest themselves this year, so that is not surprising. The export to Belgium is almost 11,000 tonnes smaller, at just over 21,000 tonnes. In most years, more than 30,000 tonnes of potatoes go from the Netherlands to the southern neighbors in November. Occasionally this is not the case, such as in the pandemic year 2020, but also in 2014 and 2009 among others. Germany imported a considerable amount of potatoes from the Netherlands in the earlier months, but there is no sign of that in November. In October, 7,600 tonnes were still imported, which suddenly dropped to 1,650 tonnes last month. That is the smallest amount since September 2024. Looking solely at the month of November, Germany has not purchased such a small amount in twenty years. The export to France had a good year last November with nearly 6,400 tonnes. This year, sales fell back to less than half of that, totaling 3,157 tonnes. In October, the sales to this country were slightly smaller. Senegal buys less The export to Africa shows an upward trend with Christmas approaching. However, this increasing trend is at a lower level than last year. Together, African countries have imported 37,000 tonnes of potatoes from the Netherlands so far this season. Ivory Coast is the leader with 11,000 tonnes, followed by Mali with 9,400 tonnes. Both countries have taken in significantly more potatoes than last year. The biggest disappointment is Senegal. The sales to this country remain at 4,360 tonnes despite the low prices. Last year, nearly 19,000 tonnes were taken during the same period. Senegal has been sufficiently supplied with locally grown potatoes for a long time this year. Only now – just before Christmas – it appears that the local supply is too small to bridge the period to the new harvest. This creates a short window for import potatoes. In the coming week, a few thousand tonnes will be shipped to Senegal to fill the gap there. The export to America keeps pace with last year. The quantities per country are also reasonably consistent. A total of 27,000 tonnes have been shipped to America. Trinidad and Tobago is the largest buyer with about 6,700 tonnes in recent months.