If we can believe the French growers' organization UNPT and association for processor GIPT, the country will experience a monster increase in the consumption potato area this year. No less than 11.500 hectares will be added. These are mainly grown in the north, fueled by the ambitions of the processors.
If the figures are correct, the consumption potato area in France this year will amount to 170.244 hectares. The UNPT and GIPT report this. This means an increase of 7,3% or 11.567 hectares. Never before have so many ware potatoes been grown in the country. The largest increase is visible in the Picardy department.
More potatoes for expanding factories
The many additional lines at potato processors need to be filled and that requires potatoes. Lots of potatoes. Growers have responded to that call, if the figures are to be believed. The area is increasing the most in the two northern departments: Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy. The chip potatoes are not only destined for French factories, but also disappear across the Belgian border.
In Nord-Pas-de-Calais the area increases by almost 4.000 hectares. Accounts for 7,2% to 58.900 hectares. For Picardy the increase is slightly greater at 4.500 hectares (10,1%). The total is 49.500 hectares. This makes the two departments by far the largest areas when it comes to potatoes. The Hauts-de-France area now accounts for 64% of all French potatoes. The surface area is also increasing in other northern French regions. In total with 7,68%. The area increases in the other regions by several hundred hectares.
Deviating figures
The area figures are remarkable. At the beginning of June, the government agency Agreste published a figure of 159.000 hectares of ware potatoes. Considerably less than what the growers themselves take into account, based on their own information. UNPT does use government figures for the less important regions.
According to UNPT, not too many conclusions should be drawn regarding the yield. The planting and growing conditions were difficult due to the heavy rainfall. Growers submitted their figures in May and early June, so the final number may be different because not all hectares have been planted. There are also new potato growers, not all of whom could be reached.
Impressive performance
The French acreage figures are impressive, to say the least. Even in a year when sufficient seed potatoes are available, a growth of 11.500 hectares is very significant. This means that almost half of the area growth in the EU-4 is due to French growers. Given the focus of the processors, this movement is not surprising. The focus is currently in Northern France and the ambitions are great.