News Drought 2018
Fewer chips due to depleted stocks
While it is disputed whether a more expensive chip is justified or not, the Belgian chip manufacturer Roger & Roger (of Croky fame) warns that the supply is drastically shrinking due to the drought. The company is living on existing stocks. If they are exhausted, the range is limited.
Potato processor Roger & Roger from Mouscron has informed its customers that they are drastically reducing the range. Which writes the Belgian newspaper. "As soon as the existing stocks are exhausted, the supply will shrink and the promotions will stop until the end of this year," says director Jan Claes. The reason for this is the scarcity of potatoes and the problems experienced by growers. Roger & Roger produces 35% of all chips sold in Belgium.
Supermarket follows market prices
Factories have to pay considerably more for free potatoes. Sooner or later, retail prices will also rise. According to Roel Dekelver of Delhaize, how much is difficult to say. It follows the market for that. The supermarket chain has already indicated that it will reassess the situation. At the moment, especially certain vegetables are scarce in the store.
Producers of frozen chips apparently have fewer problems. Lutosa is not yet sounding the alarm. "Fewer tons are supplied and the sorting is finer," says spokesman Françoise Saint-Ghislain. Potato association Fiwap does not think the price of crisps and chips will rise. "About 60% to 70% of the potatoes needed are pre-contracted. Availability is more likely to become a problem."
No replacement
Consulting firm ATP Consulting estimates that the Belgian potato harvest is about 30% to 40% lower. In the early potatoes this is even 70% to 80%, because they are usually on sandy soil. In 2016, buyers were able to partially compensate for the loss in kilograms by purchasing potatoes abroad. That is not possible this year.
Romain Cools, secretary at Belgapom, says the next 10 days are crucial for the Belgian potato crops. There is still hope for some plots, but if growth has stalled, they have been lost.
Niels van der Boom
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