Potatoes remain in demand by the processing industry. For the sixth month in a row, more than 300.000 tons have been processed. February may not have set a new record, but the manufacturing industry still manages to maintain a solid pace.
In total, 311.200 tons of potatoes were processed in February, according to the figures of the Association for the Potato Processing Industry (Vavi). That is 22.900 tons more than in the same month last year. February is the first month since August in which the processing figure is just below the five-year average, which stands at 314.540 tons. The percentage of imported potatoes stood at 36,7% in February, or 114.300 tons. In February 2021, that was 37,3%. Last month, 146.500 tons of pre-fried chips and 26.500 tons of other products were produced. The processing efficiency is 55,6%, which is relatively high. The five-year average is 53,7%.
The total processed potatoes for this season stand at 2.277.800 tons. This puts 2021/2022 in fourth place. Compared to the top three, the gap widened slightly in February. If we compare the past twelve months with the same period a year earlier, almost 500.000 tons more potatoes have been processed. Such a comparison only gives a distorted picture due to the corona vicissitudes, which left an important mark on the market, especially in 2020.