Dutch potato processors processed fewer potatoes for consumption in June than a month ago. Fewer potatoes were also processed compared to a year ago. The pace may have slowed slightly in the first month of summer, but the result remains stable.
During June, 324.500 tons of potatoes for consumption were processed by the Dutch factories. This is evident from figures from the Vavi. This is 11.800 tons less than was processed in May and 21.600 tons less compared to June 2023. The 6% reduction in volume probably has to do with the supply of potatoes and the strategy to use raw materials sparingly.
Returns decrease
Of all those potatoes, 136.500 tons came from other countries. That is 6.000 tons more than last year. Imports amount to 42% of the total. Of those 324.600 tons of potatoes, a total of 146.000 tons of fries and 24.700 tons of other potato products were produced. This brings the return to 52,6%. One percent less than in May and even 2,4% less than a year ago. The percentage is the same as October last year and therefore relatively low.
In total, the Dutch industry processed 3,86 million tons of potatoes between July last year and June this year. That is 3,9% less (127.000 tons) than in the same period in the 2022-2023 season. With one month left in the processing season, we can soon take stock, although there is little chance that last season will be equaled.