The French fries industry is running at a high pace this season. That has not changed in January. This month also scores high in terms of tonnage processed. It is striking that a relatively large number of chips was produced in relation to the tonnage processed.
In January, potato processors processed 330.300 tons of potatoes into fries and frozen potato products, according to figures from the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (Vavi), which were published today (Thursday, February 17). Of the processed potatoes, 119.400 tons, or 36,1%, come from imports. A year earlier, that percentage was 29,8%. The processing figure for January 2022 is therefore in the top 3 in terms of processing. Only in 2017 and 2018 were more potatoes processed, 350.100 and 339.100 tons respectively.
Much processed into fries
Last month, 159.100 tons of pre-fried chips and 26.200 tons of other products were produced. The processing efficiency is therefore 56,1%. This season there have been months in which more potatoes were processed, but in January a relatively large number of pre-fried fries were made. Only in October, 160.700 tonnes, slightly more pre-fried chips were produced in the last twelve months.