French processors hold their own remarkably well.

During February, 155.713 tonnes of potatoes were processed in France. That is 11,5% more than went through the fry lines in January, according to figures from processors' organization GIPT. This accounts for 16.123 tonnes of product. The factories primarily collected more contract potatoes from growers. This amounts to 20.000 tonnes more than in January. Free-market potatoes can still count on minimal interest. Only 2.300 tonnes were processed, which is 100 tonnes less than in the first month of this year.

No decline
In the eight months of the current processing season, 1,24 million tonnes of processing potatoes have now been processed. That is virtually the same as the same period in the previous season. Quite surprising, when you look at the situation in the Netherlands, for example. There, a significant decline has been noticeable, certainly since this year.

Thanks to new factories, such as Clarebout's, and more processing lines, production capacity in the country has increased significantly. In the 2024/25 season, 18,6% more potatoes were processed than the previous season, demonstrating just how big that leap has been. It is particularly remarkable that the French are managing to maintain this pace now as well.

It is not entirely positive for the French. Processing during February was 8% lower than in the same month a year earlier. This raises the question of whether the factories can keep the difference compared to last season so small. On the one hand, it is good news for the growers, but this does not mean that the market is more positive. It remains just as bad, just like elsewhere in the EU-4. However, exports of frozen fries are positive, standing 13% above last season.

surpluses
In 2024, processors had 7,65 million tonnes of potatoes to process. This season, that figure is 8,54 million tonnes. Assuming processing remains constant, 892.000 tonnes therefore remain unsold on the market. This is excluding the additional imported volume. So far this season, 320.000 tonnes have been imported, compared to 263.000 tonnes last season.

Exports of consumption potatoes are lagging behind
The gap in the export of ware potatoes is wider in France. The total up to and including January stands at 1,73 million tonnes. That is 217.000 tonnes, or 11%, less than in the same period last season. Almost all destinations purchased fewer potatoes. Exports to Belgium fell by 12% and those to Spain by 9,3%. Italy, the third largest exporter, purchased 3% more potatoes. Exports to the Netherlands have even halved, but this involves a relatively small number of tonnes. This is evident from figures provided by the trade association CNIPT.

French exporters are struggling with an oversaturated potato market in Europe, making it extremely difficult to create more space for potatoes. In Germany, however, they are succeeding; exports there have increased by 16%. A very low price level helps a little to generate extra sales, but it is not happening wholeheartedly.

Independent farmer out of luck
According to growers' organization UNPT, the total potato surplus in France is significantly larger than when looking purely at the processed volume. At the end of February, 3,3 million tonnes were in French potato storage, which is 32% more than in February of last year. This amounts to 800.000 tonnes. Of the harvested volume, 40% was still in stock. The largest portion (44% or 2,2 million tonnes) consists of processing potatoes. The stock of table potatoes was 12,5% ​​or 1,09 million tonnes larger.

Due to the avoidance of free potatoes—80% less was purchased than last season—this stock is particularly large. It concerns 430.000 tonnes for which little to no buyer can be found. That is still considerably less than the table segment, where 900.000 tonnes remained without a buyer just last month. The situation is comparable to Germany, where 1,23 million tonnes were sitting in storage without a buyer at the start of this year.