Potatoes are in great demand in Africa

Up to and including November 2017, 73.585 tons of potatoes were exported to Africa. This means that the 2016 level has already been broken. The annual export then amounted to 64.212 tons, virtually the same as the year before. In November, exports amounted to 22.235 tons, a figure equivalent to 2016.

Number 1
Senegal is the leader. Until November 2017, the country purchased 37.972 tons of potatoes. That figure may pale in comparison to the quantity Dutch onions, but as far as potatoes are concerned it is an important destination. The level of exports in November 2017 was 27% higher than the year before.

Mauritania is the only other African country that purchases potatoes in excess of 10.000 tons. In the first 11 months of 2017, the country produced 11.266 tonnes, compared to 9.955 tonnes in the same period last year. Ivory Coast is number 8.000 with over 3 tons. Mali is number 6.000 with over 4 tons and then there are three countries with figures around 3 tons. There are no major shifts in the list. Numbers 2.000 and 1 both achieved the greatest growth.

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Senegal has an important share in the African potato market.Importance of Senegal
Even though the export list to Africa is fed by 10 countries, plus other destinations, Senegal makes the absolute difference. This becomes clear in the graph above. If exports to this West African country peak, this will be noticeable in the figures for the entire region. However, the demand for potatoes for consumption is erratic. It appears to be coming to an end in January or February. The market peaked early at the end of 2017, with an all-time record of 13.084 tonnes in October.

According to insiders, this has to do with the fact that the price was favorable. This convinces traders. The market shows that exporters were still busy preparing shipments to Senegal in December. December can still surprise in volume. Historically, exports are declining rapidly.

EU exports higher
European countries have also purchased considerably more potatoes. Up to and including November, potato exports amount to 208.505 tons, according to figures from the NAO. That is an increase of 8% compared to the same period last year. Germany and France largely contribute to this result. The additional exported volume amounts to 8.500 and 13.400 tons more than in 2016. Belgium actually purchased 5.600 tons fewer potatoes.

The total balance of the Netherlands stood at 1 tonnes on December 2017, 312.893, compared to 294.901 in 2016. The highest result ever. In 2014, exports amounted to 1 tons until December 297.000. An abundance of potatoes also means lower import figures. For the 2017 harvest, this amounts to 145.788 tons, of which 6.194 tons of starch. That is a minus of 8% compared to 2016 and a minus of 84% for starch.