Farmers across France are increasingly shifting from cultivating starch potatoes to food-grade potatoes due to economic advantages. This strategic decision, driven by profitability, market demand, and competitive pricing, significantly impacts the starch processing industry.
In Millencourt, Somme, farmer Xavier Mailly exemplifies this transition, having shifted from 12 hectares of starch potatoes to just five hectares of food potatoes, maintaining the same income level. This change allowed Mailly to diversify into more profitable crops, such as canned peas, enhancing overall farm profitability.
The recent establishment of the Ecofrost factory in Péronne, capable of processing up to 200,000 tons of French fries annually, has accelerated this trend. The factory requires between 8,000 and 10,000 hectares of potatoes, creating direct competition for local starch potato producers. Consequently, Roquette’s starch plant in Vecquemont, the last of its kind in France, has witnessed a worrying 30% decline in starch potato cultivation area despite nearly doubling its purchase price over the past five years. The price difference remains substantial, with food potatoes selling at double or even triple the price of starch potatoes (approximately €120 per ton for starch potatoes versus €240-€360 per ton for food potatoes).
To remain competitive, starch producers are exploring new market opportunities within food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics sectors, leveraging innovative products like filtered soluble starch as attractive, profitable alternatives. Patrick Poret, director of Roquette’s Vecquemont plant, emphasizes that offering fair and competitive pricing is critical to maintaining growers’ loyalty and stabilizing cultivation areas.
However, Camille Deraeve, president of the starch cooperative in Vecquemont, points out that higher prices don’t necessarily equate to greater overall profitability. Food potatoes incur significantly higher production costs due to labor, energy, and input demands, making it crucial for farmers to consider profit margins rather than price alone.
The shift toward food potatoes highlights critical considerations for profitability and sustainability in agriculture. Starch potato producers must innovate and diversify to remain attractive and competitive amidst evolving market conditions, ensuring long-term viability for all stakeholders.
