EU fries exporters start the year on a positive note

The five biggest European French fry exporters have started 2026 on a better note, compared to a year ago, in terms of volume. Prices continue to erode. Belgium is particularly competitive on price. The EU-5 exporters mainly exported more produce to other EU destinations. The EU-5 exporting countries shipped a combined volume of 486,539 tonnes during the first month of the year. That is 3% more (13,734 tonnes), compared to the 472,805 tonnes that were shipped during January 2025. Compared to December 2024, the export level is 6.1% lower (31,666 tonnes). European powerhouses This higher export level is mainly due to Belgium and the Netherlands, which both exported a greater volume compared to a year ago. Belgium exported 249,475 tonnes of frozen fries, which is a 7% increase. The Netherlands managed to export 12.5% more fries during January, amounting to a total of 143,111 tonnes. France, Germany and Poland all exported fewer fries during January. The export level of Poland was almost 50% lower. This is largely due to a significantly higher export level during the first month of last year, that was exceptional for the country. Germany and France have already released figures for their February exports. These show a significant recovery for the fries export of Germany. France continues to sell fewer fries compared to a year ago. Price erosion The average sales price of a tonne of frozen fries continues to be significantly lower compared to a year ago. The price of fries from Belgian origin averaged €1,050 per tonne, which is €176 per tonne less compared to the same month last year. The Dutch average price held up slightly better. It stood at €1,280 per tonne, compared to €1,314 last year. A €34 difference. Belgium is by far the cheapest producer and exporter within the EU-5 bloc. France and Poland sit in between, with Germany as the most expensive exporter. Its average sales price was €1,313 in January. A €64 difference compared to last year. Especially the fry prices of Belgium and France have shown a steady decline during 2025. This trend is continuing early 2026. Other countries have seen price reductions as well, but at a much slower rate. Re-export The EU-5 countries shipped more fries to other EU countries during the first month of the year. The export level was a fifth higher compared to a year ago. Meanwhile the export to non-EU countries was 12.2% lower. France was the biggest ‘buyer’ of frozen fries, although this figure should be treated with caution. The harmonised system should exclude re-export, although the HS system does appear to be influenced by re-exports. The UK remains the biggest customer, although it bought 3% less fries in January. Belgium itself took 55% more product and the Netherlands and Germany also imported more frozen fries. Southern European countries took more fries, except for Spain. Outside of the EU it’s a different story. The three biggest customers for EU-fries: the US, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, all bought less fries. Exports to the US declined by 16%, Saudi Arabia took almost 40% less product and Brazil took 4% less. Other Middle East destinations also bought fewer fries such as UAE and Kuwait. Jordan imported over 25% more fries. Middle East dependency It will be interesting to see how the export level to these countries will develop as more data comes available. Exports have halted to near zero since the conflict broke out in Iran and export routes became disrupted. European exporters are highly reliant on countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. If demand from these markets does not return anytime soon, this will be felt by the potato industry that is already struggling with worldwide competition and price pressure versus high production costs.