After the NEPG, the French statistical service Agreste will also follow with potato area figures for 2017. They are also committed to growth. The chip potato segment in particular can make a plus this year. Good news for Belgian potato processors. There is no growth in the other product groups.
Preliminary figures from Agreste, the agricultural statistics service of the French agricultural ministry, show that an area of 131.000 hectares of ware potatoes is expected this year. That is an increase of 4.000 hectares compared to 2016. That represents a growth of 3,7 percent. The NEPG reported already a growth of 4 percent in mid-April.
Belgian backyard
It is mainly the French fries industry that is attracting cultivation. In combination with a favorable season in the books, French arable farmers are keen on potato cultivation. Belgian potato processors see Northern France as their backyard. They can continue to draw on that for the time being. The demand for table potatoes, which is also included in the area, is expected to stagnate slightly and decrease slightly.
17 percent area growth
The ware potato area reached a low of more than 2012 hectares in 109.000. Subsequently, things continued to improve slightly, with a small setback in 2015. In 6 years, the area has increased by 17 percent, according to Agreste's figures.
The service does not change the figures for the other potato varieties. Agreste assumes 22.000 hectares of starch potatoes, 20.000 hectares of seed potatoes and 6.700 hectares of early potatoes. This brings the total potato area in France to just under 180.000 hectares.