Dutch potatoes: More import than export

After sugarcane, corn, rice and wheat, potatoes are the world’s most commonly traded product with a production of 350 to 400 million tons. According to FAO data, China is the world's largest producer, followed by India and Russia. The Netherlands are in the tenth place (see Table 8).

Holland is by far the largest exporter of potatoes. On the global seed potato market, the Dutch hold the dominant position. In regard to consumption potatoes, France is leading the export, followed by Germany and the Netherlands. (see tables 9/12).
World trade in "fresh" potatoes amounted to more than 3.5 billion dollars in 2012.

Compared to recent years, this year’s acreage of seed potatoes, although slightly larger, is expected to yield disappointing volumes. Of both consumption and industrial potatoes, the acreage is larger than last year, but smaller than in previous years (Table 1).

In total, the Netherlands (in 2012) exported almost 2 million tons, and imported an even larger amount. The export of all "fresh" potatoes in 2012 had a value of 580 million euro (2011: 760 million). See Table 3. The value of exports of processed potato products is much higher, namely 1.4 billion.

In recent years, the import of potatoes has increased dramatically, and in 2012 has seen even more imported than exported goods. The import of all kinds of "fresh" potatoes in 2012 amounted to a total of 270 million euros. As shown in Table 2, this is mainly due to fresh product destined for processing.

The export of consumption potatoes is normally focused on the neighboring countries, Belgium and Germany. In 2011 Russian demand was enormous. In total, a whopping 1.4 million tons was introduced this year, against a mere half a million in 2012 (see Table 7).

The Netherlands import mainly from neighboring countries Germany and Belgium. Most is intended for the processing industry (Tables 2 and 5).
In the first half of 2013, the export was larger than in the first half of last year, but the 2011 level was not reached.

Algeria is the main buyer of Dutch seed potatoes. 2012 saw a record amount of more than 130,000 tons. This year that amount, in all likelihood, will not be achieved. Germany, Belgium and Italy are the other major buyers, but the list of buyers of Dutch seed potatoes is long, in 2012, there were no fewer than 60 countries taking in more than 1,000 tons.

For more information:
JanKeesBoon
Fruit&VegetableFacts
Tel: +31 654687684
Email: [email protected]

Please note that some of the following tables are in Dutch

Table 1: Dutch acreage, production, export and import of potatoes (acreage in ha, rest in 1.000 tons)

Table 2: Dutch processed potatoes
(in 1.000 tons)

Table 3: Dutch export and import of potatoes (quantity and value)

Table 4: Dutch export potatoes (in tons)
HScodes 07019050 en 07019090

Table 5: Dutch import (in tons)
HScodes 07019050 en 07019090

Table 6: Dutch export seed potatoes (in tons)
HScode 07011000

Table 7: Russian import potatoes (in tons)
HScodes 070190

Table 8: Producing countries (in 1000 tons)

Table 9: Export countries potatoes (in 1000 tons)
HScode 070190

Table 10: Import countries potatoes (in 1000 tons)
HScode 070190

Table 11: Export countries seed potatoes (in 1000 tons)
HScode 070110

Table 12: Import countries seed potatoes (in 1000 tons)
HScode 070110