The French potato processing industry processed fewer potatoes during the 2016-2017 season than the previous season. Substantial additional purchases were also made due to fewer contract potatoes. This is evident from figures published by the trade association GIPT.
According to figures from the Groupement Interprofessionnel pour la Valorisation de la Pomme de Terre (GIPT), a total of 2016 million tons of potatoes were processed into fries and other frozen potato products during the 2017-1,065 season. That is the lowest processing figure in 7 seasons. The difference with the 2015-2016 season is 53.000 tons, or 5%. Compared to the record year 2014-2015, this is even 107.000 tons.
Significantly fewer tonnes contracted
Of all processed tonnes, 745.000 tonnes come from contracted potatoes. That was 836.000 tons a season earlier. This difference is largely due to the dramatic growing season for the French and not to the fact that fewer contracts have been signed. Part of the contracted raw material supply comes from Belgium.
Bought more potatoes
Because the contracts did not deliver the necessary tons, the French industry had to dig into its pockets to purchase free potatoes from French potato growers. In total this amounts to 128.000 tons. That was 'only' 85.000 tons the season before.
Preference for local product
In addition, 192.000 tons were imported. That is slightly less than in 2015-2016. At that time that level was 5.000 tons higher. The need is therefore mainly met with local products. Approximately 70% of all potatoes are of domestic origin.