In a year of scarcity, the French fries sector in France still managed to achieve growth figures. While Dutch processors are falling sharply in May, the French still manage to book a plus. This is evident from figures from the sector itself. How did the factories manage that?
The Belgian potato industry uses Northern France as a backyard for their own raw material supply. However, there remains more than enough raw material for our own potato processing, as figures from the trade organization GIPT show. Conversely, very little has been imported from Belgium.
More contracted tons
Between May 2018 and May 2019, the French potato sector processed 1,14 million tons of potatoes. That is more than the 1,116 million tons in the 2017/2018 season. This amounts to a plus of 24.000 tons. This is mainly because French chip producers contracted more potatoes last season. The area increased by 5.000 hectares (3,6%).
The processed volume of potatoes under contract grew by 15% to 866.000 tons. More free potatoes were purchased, especially in our own country. This is an increase of 70% compared to last year. This increase is good for 143.000 tons. In addition, approximately 131.000 tons were imported (-30%).
Longer break
The supply of old harvest has now almost dried up. The factories are currently also not interested in purchasing the batches, which results in falling prices. Only the leftover excess kilos are purchased freely. The factories are now trying to bridge the period until the new harvest with a long period for maintenance and holidays. There are enough contracted kilos to see out the last weeks of the season.
According to the latest estimate of grower organization UNPT, the area will increase by 2,1% this year. Good for a plus of over 3.000 hectares. Once again the surface area of contract potatoes for the Belgian and French potato industry in Northern France is increasing. About 75% of the expansion is in the 2 northern departments. However, here it is very... dry, resulting in irrigation restrictions and bans. So anything can still happen regarding the 2019 harvest.