The potato processing industry took a big step back in production in August. After an excellent month of July in which we had to rely on the old harvest for a long time, the summer break and maintenance has been moved to August.
In August, potato processors processed 271.900 tons of potatoes, according to figures published today (Thursday, September 16) by the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (VAVI). That seems to be somewhat disappointing compared to the 300.900 tons processed in July. But due to the late spring and the slow growth of the potatoes this season and the long supply of potatoes from the previous harvest, the processors switched to the new harvest relatively late. Compared to August 2020, 7.200 fewer tons of potatoes were processed.
More fries fried
It is striking that more pre-fried fries were produced, 126.400 tons in August this year compared to 119.200 tons in August 2020. Fewer other potato products were produced, 19.700 compared to 24.800 tons in August 2020. Of the processed potatoes, 129.300 tons, or 47,6 .50,2% comes from imports. Last year that was XNUMX%.
The processing efficiency is 53,7% and is therefore below the average of recent years. The reports about quality problems in the potatoes are therefore confirmed by the processing figures. Last year the processing yield was 51,7%, but in previous years the yield was often well above 55%, with a peak in 2016 of even 61,4%.