The French potato production has a competitive advantage for the processing industry in relation to the Netherlands, Germany or Belgium, because French potatoes contain more dry matter. As a result, returns are higher for processing. Besides, the quality of the potatoes meets demands from industry, and the French potato growers are still managing to improve quality, according to Alain Dequeker, chairperson of potato growers association PPA, the French counterpart of the potato growers commission of Aviko.
Dequeker sees room to expand the potato production in France. “We grow on more than 85,000 hectares in our region, the Haut-de-France, where two-thirds of all French potatoes are grown. Expansions are possible to the south, in Artois-Cambresis, in Picardy and to the Seine-Maritime. It’s fertile soil, suitable for the production of potatoes.”
“Demand on the fresh market has declined, so that there’s new production room for the processing industry. If the current fresh market of 2.5 million tonnes decreases by three per cent, it would offer room for 70,000 tonnes of new supply for industry. On the other hand, the annual growth in acreage of three per cent that we realise is resulting in 200,000 tonnes of additional material for processors as well. This growth will increase when the potato production remains as appealing as it is to us now,” Alain says.
For more information, check Aviko’s website.
Source: Aviko, 03/07/19