The export of Dutch consumption potatoes continues to lag behind the facts. Up to and including 31 May, the export figures are in stark contrast to the past two years. The export of seed potatoes, on the other hand, is going like a train. Where Europe dropped a stitch last month when it comes to seed potato exports, the continent has regained its upward trend this month.
The export of Dutch consumption potatoes has not been getting going all year. Up to and including May, 646.007 tonnes of the 2024 harvest have been exported, compared to 744.263 tonnes in the same period last year. This means that the export volume is more than 98.000 tonnes lower than for the 2023 harvest year and even more than 150.000 tonnes below the level of the 2022 harvest year. This is evident from recently published figures from the Dutch Potato Organisation (NAO).
Export of consumer potatoes to Europe drops sharply
The largest part of the consumption potatoes traditionally goes to Europe. Up to and including May, 515.450 tons were exported to Europe. This is more than 100.000 tons less than in the same period last year, when 618.759 tons of consumption potatoes went from the Netherlands to Europe. Germany in particular imported considerably less. This year, exports to Germany fell by more than 43% to 41.862 tons. Belgium also imported less, this year more than 346.000 tons of Dutch consumption potatoes went to our southern neighbors, a decrease of more than 22%. France, on the other hand, showed an increase. More than 5% more potatoes went from the Netherlands to France than last year. The total came to 50.341 tons.
Where exports to Europe plummeted, they rose to Africa. With 76.631 tonnes, exports to the African continent rose by almost 11%. Senegal was mainly responsible for this increase. The African country imported 30.950 tonnes of potatoes, an increase of over 23%. With a decrease of around 5%, exports of consumption potatoes to America amounted to 53.555 tonnes. This was mainly due to exports to Trinidad and Tobago. With a decrease of around 20%, total exports amounted to 12.156 tonnes.
Seed potato exports almost break 100.000 tonne mark
While the export of consumption potatoes declined, an opposite movement was seen in seed potatoes. Up to and including 31 May, a total of 823.557 tonnes of Dutch seed potatoes from the 2024 harvest were exported. This is a clear increase compared to the same period last year, when the counter stopped at 718.231 tonnes. The export volume up to and including May is currently almost 100.000 tonnes higher than the total export volume of 2023. With 537.209 tonnes, Europe remains the most important destination for Dutch seed potatoes. The volume is more than 50.000 tonnes more than last year, when the counter stopped at 485.481 tonnes.
Belgium, Germany, Italy and France traditionally purchase the largest volume, and this is no different now. Belgium imported the most on the European continent with 132.181 tonnes and increased by almost 18% compared to last year. Spain also showed an increase of over 13% and ended up at 51.808 tonnes.
Africa is buying significantly more seed potatoes
Africa purchased considerably more Dutch seed potatoes, with 162.407 tonnes. Compared to the 131.628 tonnes of a year ago, this is an increase of over 23%. This increase is mainly due to Algeria, which imported almost 86.544% more than last year, with 35 tonnes. Egypt also imported over 30% more, with a total of 31.211 tonnes of imported Dutch seed potatoes. Exports to Asia grew by over 23% this year. The largest buyer on this continent was Saudi Arabia, which also imported almost 40% more than last year, with a total of 25.359 tonnes. The total export to Asia amounted to 99.502 tonnes.