Belgapom Appeals for Government Help Amid COVID-19 Crisis
Belgium’s potato industry is asking for the government to chip in and help the industry survive the coronavirus lockdown. While the country is well-known for its fries, the industry has few clients at home. On average, 90% of potatoes are exported, but with travel bans and restaurants closed around the world, the food supply chain has been disrupted.
“This is the first time ever that the potato sector is asking for support to the government,” admits Romain Cools, secretary general of Belgapom, the association representing the Belgian potato trade and processing industry. He says the sector is facing a great number of difficulties due to the EU legislation, with the tools to help in a crisis not being geared towards farmers. Piles of potatoes are now stuck on farms and many don’t have the facilities to keep them fresh.
The European Commission says there is no specific program to help farmers cope with the crisis. Very soon, MPs will debate ways to help agriculture sectors – like the Belgian potato industry – to recover from the slump. In the meantime, the sector is looking for ways out of the crisis – including creative options, as Cools says.
“Some people ask us that, when the coronavirus is over… to have a big national Belgian fries festival! To enjoy and to make a party at the end of the crisis!”
