EU fries exports highest since 2023 as Dutch exports peak

The EU-5 fry exporters can look back on an excellent month for frozen fries exports. Exports have not been this strong since November 2023. Within the European Union, sales remain strong. Now exports outside the EU are also starting to pick up. In particular, the Netherlands recorded particularly strong export performance in May.In May, the EU-5 countries exported a combined 530,000 tonnes of frozen fries, according to the latest data from the harmonised trade system. This was 8.6% more than a year earlier and 4% more than was exported in April. Over the past twelve months, exports were up 3.5% compared with the previous twelve-month period. Exports to EU destinations grew by 14% and those to non-EU countries by almost 4%. The Netherlands stands out Dutch fries producers and exporters had an exceptionally strong month. In May, exports were more than a quarter higher than in May 2025. The volume was 175,508 tonnes. Exports have not been this high since June 2023, when just over 180,000 tonnes were exported. Over a twelve-month period, exports now amount to 1.85 million tonnes. That is 6% more than in the twelve months before that.Over a twelve-month period, France remains the best performer in percentage terms. That country's exports are 12% higher. May was less favourable for France, with exports down 9%. Belgian exports grew by 5%, but the growth over a year is much smaller at 1.6%. With more than 3 million tonnes of exports, the country remains by far the largest fries exporter. Germany recorded the sharpest decline in exports. In May, the decline was 6.5% and over twelve months 7.6%. Polish exports were up 10% in May, but over a year its exports have shrunk by almost 3%.Fries price keeps falling Fries export prices fell again in May, by an average of 10%, to €1,110 per tonne of product. Over twelve months, the price level is now almost 8% lower. The Netherlands and Belgium recorded the largest declines, but the other three countries also sold at lower prices. The larger volumes ensure that total revenues remain relatively strong. Total revenues were only 2% lower than in May 2025. The positive aspect of this movement is that Europe is once again able to compete better on the world market.France remains the largest EU destination for fries, followed by the Netherlands. France took 32% more product. These export figures are distorted by re-exports. Processors shifting volumes between factories and the location of export ports also affect the figures. In third place is Spain, with imports up 18.5% in May. Belgium even took 50% more, although re-exports again play a role here.Major customers buy less Outside the EU, the United Kingdom is the largest export market for EU fries. In May, imports were slightly lower, but with 64,000 tonnes the gap with the second-largest market, the US, remains very large. The US imported 16,867 tonnes, which is 17% less than a year ago. Saudi Arabia bought 9% more fries. The UAE, Kuwait and Qatar all imported significantly fewer fries, between 20% and 30%. Still, exports have not disappeared completely, as was expected at the beginning of this year when the war in Iran broke out. Libyan imports were up 223%, although at 1,620 tonnes that remains modest. Brazil imported 17,800 tonnes, up 61%. A solid fries export is good news for the European potato sector, which has been dealing with a struggling export market since early 2025. Now that the free-buy potato market is looking much healthier again, it is also important that the market for finished products also gains momentum. Figures for June are already available for the EU-27. These show that 10% more fries were exported. So May was not an isolated spike. Higher volumes were shipped particularly to the Middle East, South America, Africa and Australia.