Dutch potato exports in October were the smallest in volume since 2009. This can be deduced from figures from the Dutch Potato Organisation (NAO).
A total of less than 50.000 tons of table and industrial potatoes were exported last month, according to NAO figures. Of these, approximately 35.000 tons remained in the European Union. Belgium is the largest customer, importing 21.300 tons. The Belgians themselves have a large harvest and therefore imported 15.000 tons fewer Dutch potatoes in October than last year.
Germany has still made good purchases here. The Germans imported 7.600 tons of Dutch potatoes, which is more than in October of the past three years. Sales to France this year are back in line with previous years, at 3.000 tons, after a peak of over 7.000 tons last year. It's also notable that Latvia was particularly active in the market, importing 1.300 tons.
No interest from British and Swiss
The United Kingdom and Switzerland are not interested in Dutch potatoes. These countries have sufficient supplies due to their relatively large local production.
Exports to Africa are in line with last year. However, the quantity is considerably smaller than in previous years, when between 12.500 and 22.000 tons of potatoes were shipped to Africa in October. The differences are mainly due to lower sales to Senegal. Onions from the Netherlands are at the top of the list, but potatoes are currently not. Mali and Ivory Coast are snapping up potatoes now that they are being offered at a bargain price.
The flow of potatoes to America is slightly higher than in October 2024, at almost 5.900 tons. Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, in particular, are reporting to the Dutch potato counter.