A hot and dry summer has not done the (early) potatoes any good. The switch to the new potatoes therefore seems to be made somewhat later by the processing industry. However, the processing figures for August are certainly not disappointing. If we look at the amount of potatoes that have been processed in the last 12 months, it appears that the French fries industry has completely recovered from the corona crisis. In fact, there are only two years in which more potatoes have been processed.
August is a transition month for the potato industry. This is also evident from the figures that the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (Vavi) published today (Thursday, September 15). In August, 286.500 tons of potatoes were processed. That is a step back compared to July, but almost 15.000 tons more than in the same month last year. The five-year average for August is 292.000 tons, but there is one outlier. Namely the 2019 harvest, when 345.000 tons of potatoes were processed in August.
Corona is over
Over the past twelve months, the processing industry has processed almost 4 million tons of potatoes, or 3.983.900 tons to be precise. There have only been two previous years in which more than 4 million tons of potatoes were processed. This season ranks third in terms of processing results over the past twelve months. In August 2022, a total of 133.800 tons of pre-fried fries and 26.400 tons of other products were produced. 43,4% of the potatoes, or 124,4 tons, came from abroad. Last August, that share was still 47,6%. The processing yield last month was 55,9%. That is relatively high. The quality of the potatoes therefore seems to be perfectly fine.
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