Dutch potato processors further reduced their production in November. This was primarily at the expense of processing Dutch potatoes. Supply from abroad remained stable.
In November, Dutch factories processed a total of 288.000 tons of potatoes, according to figures from the Potato Processing Industry Association (Vavi). This amount is 12% lower than the 327.300 tons processed in the same month last year.
Half of the volume of potatoes processed last month came from abroad. This means that the processing of these potatoes is barely lower than that of last November. Compared to previous years, more imported potatoes were processed.
The volume of Dutch potatoes processed fell last month to 146.300 tons. This amount is 20% lower than in November of last year. Over a longer period, the processing of Dutch potatoes in November fluctuates from 170.000 to 230.000 tons.
Decline in end product limited
Although the flow of potatoes to factories decreased by more than 10% compared to 2024, the decline in finished product remained limited to less than 8%. Production of pre-fried products fell by just under 10% to 139.000 tons, while other products increased by over 3% to 27.800 tons. This brings the yield of potatoes to 58%, compared to 55% last year.
Total production of pre-fried products from July through November reached almost 690.000 tons. This quantity is 3% lower than in the same period last year. Production of other products increased by 8% during this period to 123.000 tons.
Total potato processing in the months from July through November this year will remain at just under 1,45 million tons. This quantity is almost 6% lower than last year. In 2024, a 4% decline was already recorded during this period compared to 2023. This equates to a two-year decline in processing of almost 10%.