EBP Week-on-week Prices for Belgian and Dutch Processing Potatoes Fell
As of March 11, the Belgian Expana Benchmark Price (EBP) for Fontane potatoes dropped 20% week-over-week (w-o-w) to EUR175/mt, while the Dutch EBP for processing potatoes decreased 16% week-over-week (w-o-w) to EUR270/metric tonne (mt).
“Dutch potato prices have deviated from other North-Western European Potato Growers Foundation (NEPG)-producing countries; however, market players expect the price to continue declining to similar levels,” Harry Campbell from Expana recently mentioned.
Market players report high potato availability, with processors covered mainly by contracts, limiting demand in the free-buy market and keeping trade subdued. After reaching record highs for December and January, prices for Dutch processing potatoes have fallen 23% year-on-year, driving a sharp decline in prices of French fries and other processed goods.
“Dry weather supports planting preparations, adding further pressure to the market as the potential for an early harvest increases supply expectations. While some market players anticipate that improved weather could lead to higher planted acreage, the NEPG has warned that this could drive prices down in the 2025/26 marketing year,” he concluded.
