Netherlands: Potato Exports Jump 26.5% in July–August as Belgian and French Processors Draw on Dutch Stocks
Key takeaways
- 108,172 tonnes of potatoes exported in July and August
- 26.5% year-on-year rise in Dutch potato export volumes
- 70,925 tonnes went to Belgium, up 38% on last year
- 14,613 tonnes went to France, about three times more
Why it matters
- For farmers
- Dutch growers with old-crop stocks have strong Belgian and French demand now; compare current offers with the risk of quality loss before holding stock longer
- For processors
- Old-crop stocks are being drawn down early; secure spring raw-material cover now rather than counting on Dutch carry-over later in the season
- For traders
- Belgium and France are the active outlets while Germany buys less; route old-crop volumes accordingly and watch monthly NAO export data
60-second summary
Dutch potato exports reached 108,172 tonnes in July and August 2026, up 26.5% year on year, according to Boerenbusiness. Nieuwe Oogst, citing NAO export documents, reports more than 108,000 tonnes against about 85,500 tonnes a year earlier. European exports grew 34%. Belgium was the largest buyer with 70,925 tonnes, up 19,428 tonnes or 38%. France bought 14,613 tonnes, compared with about 5,000 tonnes a year ago, while exports to Germany fell 51% to 4,658 tonnes. Dutch imports fell 12% to 206,700 tonnes. Boerenbusiness says most exported volume was old-crop 2025 potatoes. The level is not a record: by late August 2023 exports had passed 145,000 tonnes. The shift in destinations shows Belgian and French processors using Dutch stored potatoes to bridge the gap before a drought-reduced 2026 crop is fully in store, which also means the 2025 stock buffer is being used up early.
Dutch potato exports rose to 108,172 tonnes in July and August 2026, up 26.5% on the same period last year, according to trade publication Boerenbusiness. Nieuwe Oogst, which cites export documentation from the Dutch potato organisation NAO, reports “more than 108,000 tonnes” against about 85,500 tonnes a year earlier.
Exports to other European countries grew by 34%. Belgium was by far the largest buyer, taking 70,925 tonnes in the two months, an increase of 19,428 tonnes or 38%. France bought 14,613 tonnes, compared with about 5,000 tonnes a year ago. Exports to Germany moved the other way, falling 51% to 4,658 tonnes.
At the same time, Dutch imports of potatoes fell 12% to 206,700 tonnes, according to Boerenbusiness. The publication notes that most of the exported volume consisted of old-crop potatoes from the 2025 harvest rather than new-season supply.
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Context
The export figures are high by the standard of the last two seasons but not exceptional: by the end of August 2023, Dutch exports had already passed 145,000 tonnes. What stands out this year is the destination. Belgian and French fries plants, facing a drought-reduced 2026 crop at home, are buying Dutch stored potatoes to keep their lines running until the new harvest is fully available.
The data come in the same week as figures from the Dutch processors’ association VAVI showing that imports made up almost half of the raw material processed in Dutch plants in August.
Why it matters
Cross-border flows are the clearest sign of where raw material is short. Strong Belgian and French demand for Dutch old-crop potatoes shows that processors in those countries are drawing down every available tonne before the 2026 harvest is in store. For Dutch growers with remaining stocks, this supports prices; for processors, it means the stock buffer from 2025 is being used up early, leaving less cushion for the spring months.
Photo: Potato harvesting at Ouddorp, South Holland (illustrative). Ymblanter / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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What next
Monthly export figures will show whether Belgian and French demand for Dutch potatoes holds once the 2026 harvest is fully in store and old-crop stocks run out.
Sources
- Boerenbusiness — https://www.boerenbusiness.nl/akkerbouw/aardappelen/artikel/10917035/belgen-en-fransen-trekken-hard-aan-voorraad
- Nieuwe Oogst — https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2026/09/22/nederlandse-aardappelen-in-trek-bij-belgische-verwerkers
- Data: NAO export documentation (via Nieuwe Oogst).
Linked in this material
- Country
- Netherlands
- Sections
- EuropeNewsProcessing
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