Processing of Dutch potatoes plummets

Potato processing in the Netherlands shows major differences in March in the origin of potatoes. The processing of imported potatoes has increased sharply, while considerably fewer Dutch potatoes are going into the factory. Since the turn of the year, Dutch processors have significantly scaled back capacity. In March too, that picture remains the same as in the first two months of 2026. Compared with 2025, 13% fewer potatoes were processed last month. The total volume therefore comes to just above 300,000 tons, according to figures from industry organization Vavi. The line processors have taken since the turn of the year therefore remains intact. In January, processing was 16% lower than in 2025, in February the difference was 14%. This decline is relatively limited. The biggest change lies in the origin of the raw material. In March, 155,200 tons of the potatoes came from abroad. That is 35% more than a year earlier. In combination with the lower processing capacity, this causes a sharp decline in the supply of Dutch potatoes. That fell by 37% to 146,600 tons. Normally, the share of Dutch potatoes increases in the second half of the season. That is not the case this year. In March, less than half of the potatoes supplied were of Dutch origin. On average, that share in March is around two thirds. Production of pre-fried products fell by 10% last month to 145,800 tons. Growth is visible in other products. After a sharp decline in January, production recovered in February, after which this increase continued in March. Compared with 2025, 4.2% more other product was made. The decline in total production therefore amounts to 8% in March. In the first two months of 2026, this decline was around 11%.