German potato exports in October have built up a significant lead compared to the same month last year. Deliveries to the Netherlands increased the most, followed by Belgium.
In total, Germany exported 312.000 tons of potatoes in October, according to figures from the German statistical office Destatis. That is a doubling compared to the same month a year earlier, when exports also went reasonably well. Of the total German potato exports, 152.000 tons were exported to the Netherlands, mainly French fries potatoes. That is an increase of 157% compared to October 2020. Exports to Belgium increased by 55% to 79.000 tons. The export of table potatoes also increased. They mainly find their way to Eastern Europe, to countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.
Growth in potato products
The export of frozen potato products also went well last October. Exports to South America, Italy, Romania and Northern Europe, among others, showed significant growth compared to October 2020, when exports had suffered a significant dent due to the after-effects of the first corona wave. Potato starch exports amounted to 2021 tons in October 105.000, an increase of 26% compared to a year earlier. The Asian market showed the greatest growth. Sales of potato starch and dried potato products within the EU increased by approximately 7.000 tons, mainly due to increased demand from Sweden, the Netherlands and Southeast Europe.