Up to and including October this year, more than 50,000 tons less potatoes have crossed the border. This is mainly due to the collapsed demand from Belgium. Sales to our southern neighbors fell by 40 percent.
The export figures presented by the Dutch Potato Organization (NAO) show that the export of consumption and industrial potatoes to other European countries has decreased by more than 50,000 tons this year up to and including October. While 191,602 million tons of Dutch potatoes were sold in other European countries in 2019, this year up to and including October this is ‘only’ 140,582 tons. Total global exports fell from 244,150 tons to 228,443 tons.
Belgium 40 percent decrease
The decrease of more than 50,000 tons is almost entirely due to Belgium. The sales of Dutch potatoes to our southern neighbors suffered a major blow. Exports fell from 118,780 tons in 2019 to October to 70,897 tons. A decrease of 40 percent. The cause of this can be traced back to the current corona crisis, as a result of which the chip industry has stopped purchasing (free) potatoes since this spring.
The sharp decline to Belgium could not be offset by increasing exports to other countries. Although sales to Germany increased from 29,668 tons to 36,443 tons. Sales to Africa increased from 30,191 tons to 58,252 tons. Senegal in particular caused an increase. Sales to this African country increased from 12,098 tons in 2019 to 21,628 tons up to and including October 2020.
Imports
Imports of ware and industrial potatoes decreased from 131,825 tons in the same period of 2019 to 113,691 tons this year.
