Dutch and Belgian potato processors are currently getting potatoes from everywhere to fill the current shortages on the market. In particular, France and England are in the picture.
British exporters are busy shipping potatoes to the Netherlands and Belgium. The French potato growers' organization UNPT also reports that quite a few potatoes are also coming this way from France.
High demand in France
France was least affected by last summer's drought (relative to the rest of Europe). The total potato yield was approximately 10% lower. However, the country usually exports the most in Europe and is now more or less being bought out; Eastern Europe and Spain, among others, are asking for extra potatoes from France.
France is usually the main supplier for Belgian processors. However, in that country the yield was approximately 30% lower, resulting in a sharp increase in exports from France. An additional 70% would have been exported to Belgium. Exports to the Netherlands have also increased by almost 50%, although this concerns smaller quantities.
England supplies extra
Reports are also coming from England that Dutch and Belgian potato processors are buying up a lot of potatoes. The combination of a reasonable harvest (compared to other European countries) and a weak pound makes British potatoes attractive.