The potato market is seeking additional sales through consumption and donation campaigns, while surpluses continue to put pressure on the market. Initiatives aim to stimulate demand but do not solve the structural problem. Read more about potato surplus and sales.
"We are going to save 500 million kilos of potatoes," states the action group against food waste. on its websiteDutch consumers are being called upon to buy potatoes directly from farmers or to donate 20 kilos of potatoes for Ukraine for less than €12. For that amount, the Care for Charity Foundation ensures that these potatoes are safely transported to Ukraine. There are 794 packages of 20 kilos of potatoes in stock, so there are still approximately 16 tons to go.
To boost the rescue operation, No Waste Army has declared the week of April 17 to 26 National Potato Week. In doing so, the organization aligns with its Belgian partner Waste Warriors, which plans to draw extra attention to the potato from April 18 to 24.
Actions in Belgium
In Belgium organizes promotion organization Vlam In collaboration with the potato sector, campaigns are being held that week under the motto: supporting never tasted so good. These are solidarity initiatives in cooperation with the Food Banks and Waste Warriors. Consumers can purchase packages of 5 or 10 kilos of potatoes from local potato growers for €0,40 per kilo. Half of the amount is distributed to the Food Banks.
In the Netherlands, Waste Army has found seven potato growers willing to make potatoes available during that week. Consumers can pick the potatoes themselves for a price of €0,25 to €0,30 per kilo. Anna's Hoeve in Bleiswijk charges €5 for a full bag of approximately 30 kilos.
Support for supermarkets
With these actions, the initiators will not solve the surplus problem. However, it does help to bring the issue to the attention of Dutch and Belgian consumers once again. Moreover, retailers Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, Dirk, and DekaMarkt have pledged to participate in this National Potato Week. This gives the potato extra attention, which can support consumption. That, too, will not eliminate the surplus, but all initiatives to boost potato consumption are welcome.
For the large quantities remaining after this action week, potato growers would do well to consult the overview published today by BO Akkerbouw. Together with LTO Nederland, BO Akkerbouw warns against taking the spreading of potatoes in the fields or storage on the farmyard lightly. Rules and guidelines The guidelines drawn up for this purpose have been revised following consultation with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).