For the third month in a row, Dutch potato processors have processed (slightly) more potatoes compared to last year. This means that the backlog from last season has almost been made up.
In February, Vavi members processed 320.500 tons of potatoes into 151.800 tons of pre-fried chips and 25.000 tons of other products, according to Vavi figures. That is 20.000 tons more potatoes compared to a year earlier. Factories can, however, dispose of more Dutch potatoes. 35% came from imports (111.700 tons), compared to almost 130.000 tons a year earlier.
Compared to January this year, the processed volume of potatoes decreased by 12.800 tons. The produced volume of fries remained almost the same. Other potato products decreased by 1000 tons.
Yield increased
The reason why the final production figures differ so little is due to efficiency. The yield at the factories rose to 55,2%, which is relatively high. In November last year it was just one tenth of a percent higher. Last August the yield was 56,8%. Figures around 57% are exceptionally high. The five-year average is 53,8%.
Backlog reduced
The processing level was also above that of 2024 in December and January. Over a period of twelve months, 3,86 million tonnes of potatoes have now been processed. The backlog with the same period before has been closed again. At that time, 3,915 million tonnes were processed. The difference now amounts to 55.000 tonnes. A gap between the two years has developed, especially last summer.