France remains the top performer in Europe when it comes to potato processing and marketing. While processing speed was slightly slower in November, it wasn't much. This makes the French fry industry an exception compared to the other EU-4 countries. How do the French pull this off?
French potato processors processed 159.000 tons of potatoes into fries and other potato products in November, according to figures from the GIPT industry association. This is only 1% less than in the same month last year, but still 10% less than in October. This season, the processing volume still shows a 6,6% increase compared to last year. Up to December 1, 822.000 tons of potatoes were processed, compared to 771.000 tons last year.
The amount of processed potatoes purchased freely remains minimal in this total. For example, in November, only 1.614 tons were purchased freely from growers. This is only a few hundred kilos more than in October. This season, only 5.000 tons were purchased freely, which is 0,6% of the total.
30% import
Just like in the Netherlands, the French industry processed more imported potatoes. This amounted to a good 47.000 tons in November, slightly more than the previous month and almost 30% of the total processed volume. By comparison, in October, more than half (52,8%) in Belgium came from imports. The volume was almost three times as high as in France.
The fact that almost a third of the potatoes processed in France were imported is easily explained, given the seamless integration of the Walloon and Northern French potato industries, both in terms of processors and growers. So far this season, the French have processed over a quarter more imported potatoes.
Last season, French potato companies processed a record 1,92 million tons of potatoes. This represents a 19% increase compared to the previous season, totaling 302.000 tons. This is partly due to the high availability of potatoes and partly to increased processing capacity, particularly the large new Clarebout factory in Dunkirk. This season, companies have already processed 43% of the total volume after five months of frying.
First potato quotation
The French RNM listing system listed Fontane for the first time this season this week. It's striking that this variety is being quoted at €3 per 100 kilos, easily double what Belgian and Dutch processors are paying. Only Innovator is being quoted at this price here, which usually refers to potatoes sold for delivery. Viaverda is listing Fontane for €1 to €1,50 this week. The last time RNM listed was on June 17th. Innovator has been quoted once so far this season. In early October, that variety also reached €3.