More than three-quarters of the potatoes in the Netherlands have been harvested. This is evident from the harvest progress, which potato processor Aviko provides weekly updates on throughout the harvest period.
In Belgium and France, the harvest is further along than in the Netherlands. In the countries south of the Netherlands, 83% to 85% of the harvest has already been harvested. Harvesting is also further along in the United Kingdom than in the Netherlands. The British have harvested just under 80% of their potatoes.
Germany is the least advanced in its potato harvest. With just over 60% of the harvest completed, the German harvest is on track with last year's harvest. In previous years, around 70% to 80% of the potatoes in Germany had been harvested by week 41.
In France and Belgium, work is more advanced than in the previous five years. In the Netherlands, slightly more potatoes were harvested in 2022 than is currently the case, according to the weekly overview of Aviko.
The problem this year is that deliveries to the fields are being hampered. Early in the season, the earliest French fry potato crops yielded high yields. Combined with the clearing of the old harvest, this resulted in deliveries to the factories being postponed.
Factories are running less
In addition, factories are regularly shut down, partly because sales of finished products are struggling. Furthermore, four factories of the Belgian French fry group Clarebout are currently not producing due to a strike by employees who want to profit from sales to the American food group Simplot.
The weather also plays a significant role. For example, it's somewhat too wet in the north to allow for a smooth harvest, while the south needs more water to maintain quality. Little to no rain is forecast for this week, but the chance will increase after that. However, large quantities aren't expected from then on either.