The potato export up to and including August 2020 is only slightly behind the same period last season. This is evident from the latest data from the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO). Belgium, Germany, France and Senegal have recorded the largest volumes over the past period.
The countries in the European Union will account for an export volume of 70.661 tons of potatoes until August. This is less than last season in the same period, when the export volume to European countries amounted to 87.312 tons. Total exports up to and including August amount to 98.828 tons, which is only slightly less than last year. Then 101.998 tons of potatoes were exported during this period.
Largest customers
Belgium is, just like last year, the largest buyer of potatoes: 40.205 tons. However, the difference with last season is significant, because exports in this period already amounted to 58.682 tons. Germany is in second place, with a volume of 16.891 tons. That is actually more than last year. In 2019, exports to that country during this period amounted to 14.241 tons. The top 3 is closed by France, with a volume of 5.847 tons. That is comparable to last year.
Although exports within European borders are clearly less than last year, exports to Africa have actually increased. Up to and including August, 17.185 tons were exported to Africa (last year this was 6.573 tons), with Senegel being the largest buyer. This country has purchased 5.084 tons to date. This is considerably more than last season, because only 617 tons were shipped to the country during this period. Ivory Coast is also doing well, with a volume of 4.844 tons.