Old potatoes save Dutch processing

Dutch potato processors were able to benefit considerably in August from a large volume of old potatoes, keeping their French fry lines running. Imports from abroad were also slightly higher, according to Vavi figures. The total processed volume in August was slightly higher than a year earlier. The Dutch companies jointly processed 269,300 tonnes of potatoes in the month of August. That is 1,100 tonnes or 0.4% higher than last year. Of this potato volume, 126,000 tonnes came from abroad. At 46.8%, imports in the first month of the new season are higher than last season. Yield highest in 10 yearsA total of 140,700 tonnes of French fries and 22,100 tonnes of other products were produced. This brings the processing yield to 60.5%, and that is the highest figure in ten years. To say the least, that is remarkable, given the fact that we were at the end of the old season. On the other hand, it is not that strange either, because many potatoes still came out of storage in excellent condition. The processed volume may be just slightly higher than a year earlier, but it is 4% lower than the five-year average of 280,940 tonnes. We can conclude that Dutch potato companies have benefited greatly from last year's large harvest, a substantial part of which was still in storage sheds this summer. The imported volume is the highest in five months, but still not particularly high. Positive indication By shifting contracts for early potatoes, whose acreage is considerably lower, and making ample room for the old crop, it has been possible to keep processing at the same level. Given the production, there has also been no particularly long maintenance and holiday period. That is a positive indication for sales of the end product. In September too, the processing figures will still include a substantial share of old potatoes. According to insiders, several factories were running on 50% old and 50% new potatoes until at least mid-September.