Compared to previous years, the potato processors processed an enormous amount of potatoes in July - with summer stops, maintenance and switch to the new harvest. July 2021 finishes in the top 3 in terms of processing.
After 2 months of increasing production, potato processors took a step back in July, as expected. In July, 300.900 tons of potatoes were processed, according to figures published today (Wednesday, August 18) by the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (VAVI). Although this is 30.200 tons less than in June, it is 28.400 tons more than in July last year. This puts July 2021 in third place in terms of processed volume. Only in July 2014 and 2018, slightly more potatoes were processed, at 305.300 and 304.600 tons.
More imports
143.100 tons (47,6%) of the processed potatoes come from imports. In July 2020 this was 43,5% and in July the percentage of import was also lower at 41,5% than in July 2021. A total of 130.100 pre-fried fries and 25.500 tons of other products were produced.
The processing yield in July is 51,7%. That is 0,5% lower than in June. The share of the new harvest in the processing figures is still small, but this may be an indication of what we can expect from the 2021 harvest.