The export of French fries from the European Union increased again in the 2018/2019 marketing year. This despite the fact that considerably fewer potatoes were available due to drought. In our country, exports fell slightly.
More chips were delivered from Western Europe, both outside and within the European Union. Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have exported 1,44 million tons of chips this season. Last year this was still 1,39 million tons, writes top agriculture based on Eurostat data.
Increase is less
However, the increase is not very large compared to other years. In the past 8 years, exports grew by an average of 110.000 tons, while this past sales season was 'only' by 51.000 tons. It is striking that exports from Belgium, the country with the lowest yields in the 2018 growing season, grew the fastest. However, exports from the Netherlands fell slightly.
Brazil, the second largest importer of European chips, did import significantly fewer chips last season: 1 tons, compared to 122.000 tons 168.000 year earlier. To what extent this with anti-dumping measures involved is unclear. Exports to the United States did grow strongly: from 47.000 tons to 83.000 tons.
British big customer
Sales within the European Union are likely to set a record. 11 million tons were exported in 2,575 months, an increase of 120.000 tons. Data for June is still missing, so it is not yet possible to speak of a definitive record. Within the European Union, Great Britain was the largest importer. 669.000 tons were exported to it. 395.000 tons went to France.