Worldwide, the sale of French fries and other frozen potato products has increased. Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are getting less and less of this cake. A positive boost is that the price per ton of French fries has increased.
Unfortunately, the export figures within the harmonised trading system are lagging considerably. July is the most recent month for which figures are available. In total, the EU-27 and the UK exported 143.000 tonnes of fries in that month. That is 5,6% more than the same month in 2023. The United Kingdom in particular was a major buyer of fries from the European Union. The volume purchased increased by 16%. North America bought 40% more fries, despite having a large harvest itself.
Fewer tons in total
Over a twelve-month period, exports now amount to 2,87 million tonnes. That is 3,4% less than in the same period before and almost the same as in 2021/22. The largest customers in Europe are buying fewer fries month after month. The United Kingdom is an exception. Because more small destinations bought product, the total figure is still higher. The export figures clearly show that the ample availability of potatoes in the United States and Canada clearly provides a different picture. Both on the North American market and the export market. South American countries, on the other hand, bought considerably more fries.
Looking at individual countries, the United Kingdom remains by far the largest buyer of European fries, with a stable volume over twelve months. Saudi Arabia, number two, shows a slight decrease of 3%. In July, it bought 14% less product. The US – remarkably – bought 34% more fries. Good for 15.000 tonnes. Over twelve months, this country is still slightly in the plus. The twenty largest destinations together bought 8% more fries from European countries in July.
More expensive fries
At the end of the processing season, French fry producers and exporters managed to keep their prices high. To the UK, it even rose to €1.514 per tonne. That is 7% more than the €1.416 paid a year earlier. Over a whole year, the average price level is almost a fifth higher. North America and the Middle East also paid more, while South & Central America, Asia and Africa paid less.
Of the EU-5 countries, only France and Germany have published figures on exports in July. France's exports amounted to over 59.120 tonnes, which is 12% more than the previous month. Germany saw its exports fall slightly compared to June, to 22.300 tonnes. In June, Belgium delivered almost 9% fewer fries and the Netherlands 13% fewer fries. France also scored well this month.
France is growing
France remains the exception within the EU-5. The country shows good export figures and is also working hard in the field of potato cultivation and processing. The figures clearly show that it is an extension of the Belgian processing industry in particular. This country was the largest 'customer' in July with more than 10.000 tonnes of exported product. The largest part of this volume probably reached the world market via Belgian ports. This also applies to the 7.000 tonnes that were exported to the Netherlands. Spain and Italy are numbers two and three for France. At the same time, France also imports the most fries, although the volume did fall in June. Of the non-EU destinations, Saudi Arabia is the largest buyer, followed by the US.
As with the total EU figures, the sales figures of the EU-5 also show a slight increase. The Netherlands may have lost a lot in June, but the sales price rose by almost 7% to €1.381 per tonne. Only Germany is slightly higher with €1.402. Poland is the real price buyer, followed by Belgium and France.
Fries have never been so expensive
The real top may be the French fries market, especially when it comes to volume, but processors did keep the trade going at the beginning of the summer. It is frustrating that not all export figures are delivered on time, which means that an up-to-date picture is missing. Particularly from the Netherlands and Belgium. Factories manage to keep the prices per ton stable or even increase them slightly. With an average sales price of €1.329 per ton, never before has so much been paid for a ton of frozen French fries. A year ago, the price was 8% less: €1.229 per ton.