Belgium and France draw heavily on stocks

Belgian and French buyers purchased large volumes of potatoes from the Netherlands this summer, according to export figures from the NAO. Belgium imported almost 40% more Dutch potatoes, while exports to France almost doubled. Overall, Dutch potato exports reached their highest level since 2023, with 26,5% more exported in the first two months of the new season.In July and August, 108,172 tonnes of Dutch ware and processing potatoes were exported. That is 26,5%, or 22,646 tonnes, more than a year ago and the highest level since 2023, when 145,645 tonnes were exported. This is according to new export figures from the Dutch Potato Organisation (NAO).The NAO attributes these volumes to the 2026 harvest, although it can be assumed that they mainly concern old-crop potatoes. Stocks were still very large on 1 July and even at the end of September old-crop potatoes are still being processed. Africa buys lessExports to African and American destinations are slightly lower than a year ago. Ivory Coast was the largest buyer, taking almost 6,200 tonnes, while Mali bought far fewer potatoes than last year.The biggest shifts can be seen within Europe. Belgium took 70,925 tonnes of Dutch potatoes in July and August, an increase of 19,428 tonnes or 38% compared with a year ago. France bought 9,592 tonnes more, bringing the total to 14,613 tonnes, almost double last year's volume. Germany, on the other hand, bought fewer potatoes. Exports fell to 4,658 tonnes, a decrease of 51% compared with last year.Other destinations are waitingExports to other European countries are still relatively small. Southern European buyers were not yet particularly active in the market this summer. Italy bought slightly less (-166 tonnes), while Spain bought slightly more (+205 tonnes). The United Kingdom and Switzerland do not yet appear in the export figures either. This is likely to change in the autumn.Imports lowerTotal exports to European destinations amounted to 91,258 tonnes, an increase of 34%, or 22,985 tonnes, compared with last year. With large volumes of good-quality old-crop potatoes still available, buyers have been able to take advantage of the ample supply.At the same time, the Netherlands imported 206,700 tonnes of ware and processing potatoes, including starch potatoes. That is 12% less than a year ago.