News potatoes
Potato exports remain ahead of recent years
The export of Dutch consumer and industrial potatoes from the 2023 harvest continues to be ahead of previous years. Belgium has the largest share in this. On the other hand, the volumes to Africa are somewhat disappointing, according to figures from the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO).
In November, 72.353 tons of potatoes crossed the border. This brings the total up to and including November to 348.237 tons of consumption potatoes, an increase of 7% compared to the same period last year. Total exports up to and including November are also the largest volume in the last six years, according to NAO figures. This is mainly due to the start of the new season in August. Significantly more potatoes were exported then than usual, but the past few months have also been above the 5-year average.
Belgium's largest customer
Last month, 45.468 tons of potatoes were exported to Europe. This brings the total export to Europe this season to 273.460 tons of potatoes, more than 20% more than the 2022 harvest. Just like last season, Belgium leads the list with more than 189.000 tons, which is also a lot more than last season. In November they imported more than 32.000 tons of potatoes. Other European countries lag far behind Belgium, as France follows with more than 3.700 tons and Germany with 2.800 tons. However, they did decrease considerably more in previous years. Switzerland and the United Kingdom are outside these figures, but have so far purchased larger volumes.
Overseas exports far behind
The overseas export of potatoes is a lot slower compared to Europe. African countries are purchasing significantly fewer volumes than last season until November. More than 38.600 tons compared to 61.000 tons of potatoes a year ago. Ivory Coast purchases almost half as much volume with 7.500 tons of potatoes. Mauritania even only 3.200 tons compared to 10.000 tons last year. Other countries are also all purchasing fewer volumes. The largest African buyer is Senegal with more than 17.700 tons, but also more than 3.000 tons less than a year earlier.
Exports to the American continent amount to 30.000 tons, almost equal to the 2022 harvest. Trinidad and Tobago purchases the largest quantity with more than 7.700 tons. There are some shifts, but not very noticeable amounts. Asia has hardly declined at all.
Jesse Torringa
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