French processing still has the wind in its sails

Figures from the processing organization GIPT show that 1,92 million tons of French fries potatoes were processed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. This represents a 19,3% increase compared to the previous season. Compared to five years ago, the volume processed was even 60% higher.

Imported potatoes
The majority of this volume comes from contracted potatoes. This amounts to 1,42 million tons, a 15,5% increase compared to the previous season. The share of free-range potatoes decreased sharply by 38%, amounting to 81.000 tons. Remarkably, the volume of processed potatoes increased by almost 70%, to 412.000 tons. An almost unbelievable increase.

Yet, this increase is explainable. Dutch potato exports to the country are only slightly higher (2.820 tons). These are mainly Belgian potatoes that crossed the border. According to the GIPT, this amounts to 300.000 tons. This is more than double the amount shipped last year. Germany also supplied double the amount of potatoes to the French, with 109.000 tons.

Extensive processing capacity
A large portion of the processed volume will likely come from Clarebout Potatoes, which has been frying fries in Dunkirk since the fall of 2023. It has a daily production capacity of 1.400 tons, and production expansion has already been announced. Other companies, such as McCain, have also invested in the capacity. The Belgian company Ecofrost will open its brand-new factory in Péronne in January 2026, which will process 250.000 tons of potatoes over the next two years. This is half of the capacity of the processing and storage facility. The cold store was commissioned earlier this year and currently stores potato products produced in Péruwelz, Belgium.

France also performs well in European fries exports. This year, it exported 303.309 tons of fries through June, 37% more than the same period last year. This aligns with the higher processing figures the country shows.

With these figures, France is the exception within the EU-4, where, especially now that the French fry market is faltering, there is a steady decline. Belgian processors may be slowing down, but they are not doing so across the border.

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Considerably more potatoes
French factories likely won't have a shortage of potatoes this season. The area planted increased by 24.000 hectares, making it the largest increase in the EU-4. An import volume of over 400.000 tons was therefore most likely the first and last time. At an average yield per hectare, this brings the total potato volume to 7,99 million tons, 4,5% more than was harvested in 2024.

Whether that five-year average of 40,8 tons per hectare will be achieved remains to be seen. In northern France, where most French fry potatoes are grown, it has been predominantly dry this year. Rain did fall in July, but not in the quantities seen in countries like the Netherlands. High temperatures earlier this summer also left their mark on the crop. At the same time, the currently available trial harvest figures for Belgium, for example, also show that crops are reaching their tons early, partly due to the early planting dates. This picture can be extrapolated to France.

French fries
It's now clear that the French have ever-increasing processing capacity. Potato supply isn't a problem this season either. Last season, these companies did well in the export market. This is remarkable when compared to exports from the Netherlands and Belgium. French fries from France are cheaper than Dutch products, but usually slightly more expensive than what the Belgians supply. Whether the 2025-2026 season will remain successful remains to be seen. It's clear that the French flavor has returned to French fries.