The French potato grower is on cloud nine. Especially in the north of the country, potato cultivation is on the rise. This has mainly been at the expense of the wheat area. In recent years, there has been considerable investment in potato cultivation and the rewards are there too.
This year too, French growers seem to be in the right corner of Western Europe when it comes to the average potato harvest. According to the most recent figures from the government agency Agreste, more than 13% more is being harvested compared to last season. The total potato harvest would therefore be 7,6 million tonnes compared to 6,7 million tonnes in harvest year 2023. In addition to a strongly growing area of almost 25.000 hectares, the average potato harvest is good. This is in contrast to Belgium and especially the southern part of the Netherlands, where the potato harvest is well below the multi-year average.
Both in France itself and in the backyard, and then in Belgium in particular, the processing capacity is enormous and has also grown in recent years. In combination with the reasonable to good potato harvest, nothing stands in the way of a good season. Especially now that the harvest in Belgium is disappointing. Incidentally, the harvest in France is not yet a foregone conclusion. It is said that - with November already approaching - a large area still has to be harvested. The lesson of last year should not be forgotten.
meer opties
From France there is traditionally also a good sales to the Southern European countries. Now there has been a lot more sales to Spain and also Portugal, where the current market prices of for example washed Agata have risen to €30 per 100 kilos. That is €5 less than last year at this time. The expectation is however that the price can go in a similar direction as last season.
The mood on this market can be further strengthened by the demand from England, where there is a very poor potato harvest. While the English potato harvest in recent decades averaged 5,5 million tonnes (the exception was the 'flooded' harvest of 2012, when the harvest was set at 4,65 million tonnes), for the 2024 harvest year this will not be higher than 4,60 million tonnes. A further shrinking area and moderate growing conditions will ensure a small harvest.
In conclusion, the demand from the processing industry is increasing, coupled with excellent contract conditions. There are also good sales opportunities for varieties other than French fries, to countries where the area and therefore the total volume of potatoes is decreasing. The future of the French potato grower therefore looks good.