Vavi, the Dutch potato processors union, reported February 2023 processing potato usage at 334,000 tonnes, the highest number for the month since 2017.

Seasonal usage (August-February) was 2.33m tonnes, the highest at this stage in the season since 2016/17.

Throughout the season, European potato prices have been supported by robust export demand for processed potato products, as well as a limited supply of raw material. The NEPG projected 2022/23 potato production in the NEPG zone (Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands) at 21.7m tonnes in January 2023, a 5% decrease year on year. (y-o-y).

Prices for processing potatoes remain at multi-year highs, with the Mintec Benchmark Prices for processing potatoes EXW Netherlands [Mintec Code: PO29] estimated at EUR30/100kg on March 21, 2023, a 53% increase over the same time last season.

“There are some initial indications that global fry demand may be starting to ease amid higher prices for finished products, but market participants expected prices for raw materials to remain strong throughout the remainder of the season,” the last Mintec report reveals.