Belgian potato processing industry continues growth in 2012
In the meantime the Belgian potato processing industry evolved to the world’s largest exporter of frozen potato products, preceding the Netherlands, Canada and the United States. The remarkable increase of exports to third countries is characterising this growth.
As well countries in South-America, Africa, Asia as Oceania have started to enjoy the rich tradition and quality of the Belgian fries.
In 2012 especially the share of frozen and refrigerated fries has increased. Other products as chips and mashed potato products have experienced a stagnation compared to last year.
With an amount of more than 71 million Euro also the investments within the Belgian processing companies have increased significantly compared to the latest years. Investments have been made as well on quantity as quality level, with a special attention to environment and sustainability.
Also the figures of direct employment in the industry confirm a positive trend.
This evolution for 2012 is quite remarkable taking in consideration the lower production of potatoes in large parts of the traditional growing area for the Belgian potato processing industry during the season 2012 – 2013 and this after a record yield during the previous season. The extremely wet spring, disturbing the planting, the short summer and again abundant rain during the fall, preventing even a number of fields from being harvested, have been responsible for this.
Belgian potato processing 2010-2012
* as from 2008 onwards another calculation method to calculate the tonnage of other products has been used, which results in the fact that the figures of 2008 and 2009 are no longer comparable in a correct way with those of previous.
Belgian potato processing 1990 – 2012
For more information:
Romain Cools
Tel: +32 9 339 12 52
[email protected]
www.belgapom.be
