The export of seed potatoes shows an upward trend compared to the same period last year. This is evident from the recently published figures of the Dutch Potato Organisation (NAO). On 31 January 2025, the total export of seed potatoes amounted to 416.621 tonnes, an increase of more than 12% compared to last year (370.709 tonnes).
With 153.205 tonnes, the export of Dutch seed potatoes in Europe increases slightly compared to 2024 (+4.045 tonnes). Europe is no longer the most important buyer of Dutch seed potatoes, as was the case last year around this time. This baton has been passed to Africa. Within Europe, Italy and Spain are seen as the biggest drivers. Both countries show a small decrease in imported seed potatoes compared to last year (-1.574 and -2.100 tonnes). It is striking that Belgium in particular has experienced significant growth in imported seed potatoes compared to last year (+11.752 tonnes).
The biggest growth in sales of Dutch seed potatoes is in African countries. A total of 155.036 tonnes were purchased there. Compared to the same period in 2024, countries on this continent showed an increase of 29.109 tonnes. Algeria in particular pulled the cart with an imported total of 80.863 tonnes, an increase of 19.714 tonnes. Other countries that imported a lot of Dutch seed potatoes were Egypt (31.211 tonnes) and Morocco (23.503 tonnes).
Exports to Asia rose to 87.783 tonnes, a growth of 16% compared to last year (75.571 tonnes). The largest buyers were Saudi Arabia (25.016 tonnes), Iraq (15.159 tonnes) and Israel (16.684 tonnes). In America, exports remained stable, at 20.597 tonnes. This is a slight increase compared to last year (20.051 tonnes). The most important buyers remain Cuba (8.310 tonnes) and Honduras (2.287 tonnes).
Europe by far the largest customer
The export of consumer and industrial potatoes shows a downward trend in the first month of 2025. With a total of 413.687 tonnes, the export remains below the level of January 2024 (473.124 tonnes). Europe remains by far the largest buyer with 310.622 tonnes, but the decrease compared to 2024 (375.471 tonnes) is there. Belgium remains the largest buyer of Dutch consumer and industrial potatoes, just like last year. With 216.565 tonnes, there is however a decrease compared to 2024 (-35.564 tonnes). Fewer potatoes were also exported to France and Germany, the other largest importers, 2.497 and 17.822 tonnes respectively.
In contrast to Europe, exports to Africa continue to rise. At 65.143 tonnes, the volume is 12% higher than in 2024 (57.986 tonnes). This trend is particularly visible in Senegal (30.950 tonnes, an increase of 5.886 tonnes). Exports to America are slightly down to 37.566 tonnes, just below the 2024 level (39.556 tonnes). The main buyers remain countries such as Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and the Dominican Republic.