More and more import tariffs and import bans on European potatoes and chips cannot prevent exports from Europe going very well. The potato export and processing even appear to break records.
Last week it came out that the Russians an import ban on Western fries. This while the country no longer allowed potatoes, except seed potatoes. In addition, there have been problems for some time with anti-dumping duties on European fries in South American countries such as Colombia and Brazil. Also South Africa has been trying to protect its own market through import duties since 2013.
Yet these restrictions do not help, because export figures show that Brazil, for example, failed to limit the import of European fries last year. French fry exports from the European Union (EU) are even breaking record after record.
Exports are increasing
Monthly exports from the EU show an increasing trend. In 2015, monthly exports averaged around 100.000 tons, but this is now approaching 150.000 tons of fries per month. In 12 months' time, exports will therefore reach a record level.
In week 21, the Dutch processing figures already showed that exports are continuing well, because the largest export was achieved in 5 years. The processing of potatoes is also breaking records. Never before has 367.000 tons been processed in 1 month.