This growth causes an increasingly stronger export position. Belgium became the largest exporter in the world of deep-frozen potato products in 2011 and it became bigger than the Netherlands, Canada and the US.
It is striking that the export to third countries (non EU) increased strongly. The quick economic growth in South America, South Africa and Asia also resulted in a strongly increased demand for deep-frozen potato products on these markets.
This part of the open potato market is characterised by a serious volatility of the potato prices. The disappointing harvest of 2010-2011 in Central and Eastern Europe caused record prices on the free market during the first half of 2011, which also had an influence on the export position of the Belgian companies.
The exceptionally high yield of the Belgian potato harvest 2011-2012 caused the free market to collapse, which in turn caused new opportunities on the world market as demonstrated by the first export figures of 2012.
Challenges :
The Belgian potato processing industry still has further opportunities to grow, based on the worldwide growth and the resulting increase in potato consumption. The import of potato products from Western European cultivation area Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Northern France is an addition to the local production. Since the UN International Year of the Potato in 2008 many countries in Africa and Asia have massively increased potato cultivation and consumption.
The Belgian potato processing industry still has further opportunities to grow, based on the worldwide growth and the resulting increase in potato consumption. The import of potato products from Western European cultivation area Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Northern France is an addition to the local production. Since the UN International Year of the Potato in 2008 many countries in Africa and Asia have massively increased potato cultivation and consumption.
The Belgian, mainly family owned companies, are challenged to continue this growth further. Therefore they concentrate on the continuity and durability of the supply of the raw material. Attention to new cultivation and storage techniques together with varieties, innovation in the area of logistics and cooperation in the entire chain are central in this.
Belgapom, the Belgian potato trading and processing company, wishes in cooperation with the European federations EUPPA and Food Drink Europe as well to be involved in the area of potato export at bilateral trading arrangements between the EU and third world countries.
World Potato Congress lifetime achievement award for Guy and Luc Van den Broeke
The tri-annual World Potato Congress will be held from 27 to 30 May inclusive in Edenburgh, Scotland. This congress is attended by almost 800 potato professionals from the entire potato chain of the world to study the newest developments and tendencies in cultivation , processing and marketing.
During this congress Guy and Luc Van den Broeke, who with their company Lutosa were the basis of the growth of the Belgian potato processing, receive a 'lifetime achievement' award.
Interpom Primeurs 2012, from 25 to 27 november 2012 inclusive in Kortrijk Xpo :
The dynamics of the Belgian potato chain are also illustrated by the growth of the annual event for the potato and vegetable sector Interpom Primeurs, which will take place in Kortrijk from 25 to 27 November inclusive. This event with almost 15,000 visitors from all over Europe visiting more than 200 standholders has in the meantime grown to be the largest inside potato event of the world. Innovation and export are the central themes of this event.
The dynamics of the Belgian potato chain are also illustrated by the growth of the annual event for the potato and vegetable sector Interpom Primeurs, which will take place in Kortrijk from 25 to 27 November inclusive. This event with almost 15,000 visitors from all over Europe visiting more than 200 standholders has in the meantime grown to be the largest inside potato event of the world. Innovation and export are the central themes of this event.