Dutch potato processors took it easy in December. After processing - at the same time as the harvest - got off to a good start in September and the processing figure was well above 300.000 for three months, a change was made in December.
In December, Dutch potato processors processed 296.500 tons of potatoes. This is evident from the figures published today (Wednesday, January 17) by the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (Vavi). The five-year average for December stands at 317.600 tons. The last year that fewer potatoes were processed in December was 2020.
High efficiency
Compared to December last year, fewer potatoes came from abroad, namely 126.200 tons last month compared to 163.900 tons last year. This means that 42,6% of the processing in December 2023 consisted of imported potatoes, compared to 45,9% last year. A total of 132.600 tons of pre-fried fries were produced and 36.500 tons of other products. The processing yield last month was 57%. That is relatively high, especially for this time of year.