News Potatoes
German French fries production remains remarkably stable
Where, for example, Belgium is constantly trying to increase the production of French fries, this remains fairly stable in Germany. Imports and exports also balance each other out. The industry grew slowly in the past season. Growth is mainly in the production of other frozen potato products.
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Choose the subscription that suits youIn the last processing season – from July 2021 to June 2022 – the German chip companies exported a total of 291.000 tons of frozen chips. That is an increase of 5% compared to the previous season, when 278.000 tons were exported. This is evident from data published by statistics agency Destatis. At the same time, the import of chips amounted to 238.000 tons. A plus of 10% and therefore an absolute record amount. The Netherlands supplied 157.000 tons of this, although Belgian sales of 71.000 tons are growing strongly.
French fries export
The bond between the Dutch and German potato industry is close. Of the 1,89 million tons of ware potatoes that Germany exported last season, 817.000 tons were destined for Dutch chips producers. Belgium is also purchasing a considerable volume with 364.000 tons. At the same time, another 140.000 tons of Dutch chips potatoes were exported to our neighboring country. Belgium supplied 27.000 tons of potatoes.
With almost 30% growth, the export of other frozen potato products increased considerably last season. Think of potato croquettes, rösti and more. This volume amounts to 89.000 tons. That was 69.000 tons in the 2020/21 season. At 122.000 tons, the imported volume is even greater. Here a growth of 5% is visible.
French fries production increases
The total French fries production in Germany in calendar year 2021 amounted to 494.160 tons. That is an absolute record and good for a growth of 15% by 2020. Not surprising with a recovering catering industry after the corona crisis. The German and Dutch chip production both have in common that they are relatively stable, although the total volumes are at completely different levels. In ten years' time, the German industry will still grow by a quarter, but that growth is mainly in the first four years. In the Netherlands, the growth is about 7% over a period of ten years.
Other potato industries in Germany also performed well last season. For example, the starch industry saw its exports increase by 17%. Other dried potato products (flakes and granulate) increased by 7% in exports. The production of chips has actually shrunk by 17%.