France: Drought Crop Forces a Smaller Minimum Size for Fries Potatoes as a Normandy Processor Reports Losses of Up to 40%
Key takeaways
- 45 mm is the new minimum size for fries potatoes in France
- 30–40% lower yield is reported by a Normandy processor
- 14,000 t a year is what the Calvados processor usually buys
- 37.4 t/ha is the national yield forecast of growers' UNPT
Why it matters
- For farmers
- Check contract terms: lots with 45 mm tubers now qualify for fries only if the size spread is even and dry matter and colour limits are met.
- For processors
- Update intake specifications for 2026-27 and plan for a crop with more small tubers but unchanged dry matter and frying colour rules.
60-second summary
France has relaxed a key quality rule for its fries potato trade because of the drought. The national potato committee now accepts tubers from 45 mm for processing into fries, down from 50 mm, but only for the 2026-27 season. Lots with small tubers still need an even spread of sizes up to about 70 mm, and the limits for dry matter, sugars and frying colour stay as before. Farm evidence from Normandy explains the move: a Calvados company that makes crisps and fresh fries, and normally takes about 14,000 tonnes from 42 growers, expects 30–40% less. Nationally, growers see yields near 37.4 t/ha after 43.5 t/ha last year. The shift matters for processors, who can accept more of the crop, and for growers, who can place smaller tubers under contract. The farm-level loss comes from one company and one news report, and official loss data from the Calvados authorities are not yet published.
The French interprofessional potato committee has lowered the minimum size for potatoes sold for processing into French fries. For the 2026-27 season only, the minimum falls from 50 mm to 45 mm. The board of the committee (cnipt.fr) took the decision on 2 September, according to the farm weekly L’Action Agricole Picarde. The regional news site La Clé Publique reported the measure again on 22 September.
The change comes with conditions. According to the farm weekly, a lot that includes 45 mm tubers must cover a size range of 25 mm, with some tubers reaching 70 mm. Sizes must be spread evenly across the lot. The rules for dry matter, sugar content and frying colour do not change.
In Normandy, the drought is visible at farm level. A processor in Tourville-sur-Odon, in the Calvados department, makes crisps and fresh-cut fries. It usually buys about 14,000 tonnes of potatoes a year from 42 growers on 450 hectares. According to La Clé Publique, its director estimates that the harvested yield is 30–40% lower this year.
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State services confirm the picture. According to the same report, officials of the Calvados prefecture visited farms. They found lower yields, smaller tubers and a later harvest. On 11 September, two areas of the department, the Bessin and the Virois, were still classed as being in drought crisis. The local directorate for agriculture (DDTM) has started to record losses. This could prepare the way for national compensation for farmers without insurance.
At national level, the growers’ union UNPT expects an average yield of 37.4 tonnes per hectare. In 2025 the yield was 43.5 tonnes per hectare. That is a fall of about 14%. Our earlier report on the French national yield forecast was published on 23 September.
Why it matters
A smaller minimum size allows more of the drought crop to go into processing. Trade rules are adjusting to what the fields have produced. At the same time, the limits for dry matter and frying colour stay the same, so quality standards for the final product are kept. Growers and processors will need to check how the new size rule works in their contracts. The rule applies only to the 2026-27 season.
Photo: Potato field in Hendecourt-lès-Cagnicourt, Pas-de-Calais, France (illustrative). Olivier / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
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What next
The Calvados agriculture directorate is recording losses, which could prepare national compensation for farmers without insurance. The smaller minimum size applies only to the 2026-27 season.
Sources
- La Clé Publique, 22 Sep 2026 — https://laclepublique.fr/calvados/articles/2026/2026-09-22-secheresse-pommes-de-terre/
- L'Action Agricole Picarde, 10 Sep 2026 — https://www.action-agricole-picarde.com/recolte-2026-les-frites-passent-au-regime-minceur
- Farm-level figures (14,000 t, 42 growers, 30–40% loss): one source, company estimate
Linked in this material
- Country
- France
- Companies
- CNIPT; UNPT; DDTM Calvados
- Sections
- EuropeHarvestingNewsProcessing
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