Limited availability and high prices for free potatoes. It doesn't hurt the processing industry if you look at the new processing figures. In fact, compared to May, French fries bakers are going to step up again in June.
In June, the Dutch industry processed 346.100 tons of potatoes, according to figures published today by the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (Vavi). In May this was 332.900 tons and in June last year the counter was stuck at 328.100 tons. The share of potatoes from abroad was 37,7%, or 130.500 tons. Both in percentage terms and in absolute tonnes, processors used more Dutch potatoes last month than in June last year.
There is no spillage
A total of 159.600 tons of pre-fried chips and 30.900 tons of other products were made. The processing efficiency is therefore 55%. That is relatively high. We can therefore say that the processors do not spill the potatoes that come in. A total of 3,7 million tons of potatoes have now been processed this season. That is not a record, but the 2022/23 season does deserve a place in the top 3. Only in the 2016 and 2017 harvest years more potatoes were processed up to and including June. Slightly more potatoes were imported in those years, namely approximately 90.000 extra tons in 2017 and 140.000 more in 2016.