The export of Dutch seed potatoes has shown a considerable increase in the period up to and including 31 March of this year. This increase is offset by a decline in the export of Dutch consumption potatoes. This is evident from figures from the Dutch Potato Organisation (NAO).
A total of 677.691 tonnes of seed potatoes were exported. Compared to 586.112 tonnes in the same period last year, this is a significant increase of 15,6%. The export of consumption potatoes showed a decrease of 11,4% this year compared to the same period last year. This year, a total of 525.559 tonnes were exported, compared to 593.197 tonnes in the previous year.
The European Union remains by far the most important sales market for Dutch seed potatoes. Up to now, 348.017 tonnes have been exported within the EU, more than 42.000 tonnes more than last year. Belgium, Germany and France in particular purchased considerably more. There is also growth in Asia: 93.810 tonnes were sold there, an increase of 14.360 tonnes. Exports to Iraq increased the most, from 11.094 tonnes last year to 17.526 tonnes this season. In Africa, exports amounted to 161.974 tonnes, an increase of 30.535 tonnes. Algeria remains the largest buyer with 86.544 tonnes, followed by Egypt and Morocco.
Europe most important sales market
Europe remains the most important sales market for Dutch seed potatoes, with a total export of 348.017 tonnes within the EU. This is an increase of 14% compared to the same period last year. Within Europe, Belgium, Germany and France remain leaders, although exports to Belgium (72.296 tonnes) are still well below the level of the 2023 harvest. Outside the EU, exports to Turkey in particular are again high, and at 21.477 tonnes, almost the same as last year.
Africa is once again showing strong growth. Total exports to the continent amounted to 161.974 tonnes, over 30.000 tonnes more than last year (+23,2%). Algeria remains by far the largest buyer, good for 86.544 tonnes (+22.353 tonnes). Egypt also saw a sharp increase from 7.336 tonnes to 31.211 tonnes. In Asia, 93.810 tonnes of seed potatoes were sold, an increase of 18,1% compared to a year earlier. Iraq (17.526 tonnes, +6.432 tonnes) and Saudi Arabia (25.359 tonnes, +7.160 tonnes) in particular contributed to this.
Exports to North and South America also grew. A total of 24.377 tonnes were sold in this region, an increase of 13,7% compared to last year. Brazil, with 5.300 tonnes, took 1.483 tonnes more than a year earlier, an increase of almost 39%.
Significant decline in export of consumer potatoes in Europe
Particularly by countries within the European Union, considerably fewer Dutch consumption potatoes were imported. Exports to EU countries shrank from 466.486 tonnes to 387.691 tonnes, a decrease of more than 78.000 tonnes (-16,8%). The decrease was mainly due to the fact that Belgium, but also Germany, purchased considerably fewer potatoes. Belgium, the largest importer of Dutch consumption potatoes, imported 268.821 tonnes up to and including March, almost 55.000 tonnes less than a year earlier (-17,0%). Germany showed an even greater decrease: from 51.371 tonnes to 34.916 tonnes (-32%). Other European markets, such as Spain, Sweden and Romania, also purchased fewer Dutch consumption potatoes.
To Africa, the growth of Dutch potato exports continued. Total exports to the continent rose from 65.809 tonnes to 71.904 tonnes, an increase of 9,3%. Ivory Coast remained virtually stable at 16.304 tonnes. The increase came mainly from countries such as Senegal, which imported 30.950 tonnes more than last year at 5.000 tonnes. Countries such as Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau also purchased more than last year.
Exports to North and South America fell slightly, from 48.087 tonnes to 46.032 tonnes (-4,3%). There were countries that showed an increase: imports from the Dominican Republic rose from 4.397 tonnes to 5.867 tonnes (+33,5%). Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand, decreased considerably less: 10.305 tonnes compared to 12.717 tonnes a year earlier (-18,9%). Exports to Asia remained limited, but did show a slight increase from 118 tonnes last year to 362 tonnes this year.