The average yield per hectare of early and ware potatoes in France has not been this low since 2001, statistics agency Agreste calculates. The acreage expansion of five percent has therefore had no influence on the total production. That makes planning difficult for processors.
The state statistics agency Agreste puts the final French harvest for ware and early potatoes at 5,2 million tons. A decrease of 2,3 percent compared to 2015. If we look back a year further, the yield is even one million tons lower by comparison. The acreage increased by almost five percent to a good 126.000 hectares.
Not so few potatoes have been harvested from one hectare since 2001. On average 41,21 tons per hectare, compared to 44,23 tons/ha last season. A minus of just under seven percent. If we look at the peak year of 2014, the yield is even eleven percent lower.
Despite a small increase in the acreage for ware potatoes, the yield per hectare fluctuates sharply. In 2016, 2012 and 2001 he dips sharply. In 2014, 2011, 2007 and 2004, it shot up sharply. This makes it difficult to plan ahead for the potato industry.
French potato production is of great importance to Belgian potato processors. After three quiet months, the Belgians imported a record amount in October 2016. Total potato imports will reach a record 1,71 million tons in twelve months. France accounts for 60 percent of all deliveries in that period between November 2015 and October 2016. A volume of 1,02 million tons. Then the Netherlands and Germany follow.
The United Kingdom comes in fourth place, with a volume of 6.714 tons in October, which is a 332 percent increase compared to the previous year. The volume over 12 months amounts to 27.175 tons, which is almost one hundred percent more than the previous season. Poland is not included in the import overview.