Países Bajos: Potato price rises to a maximum of 35 euros

The difference between the lower and upper end of the listing of category 1 potatoes suitable for chips is large at 13.50 euros. ’But that is easily explained by the ’Innovator effect’, says market master Watze van der Zee of PotatoNL.

Category 1 is the collection of French fry varieties that are processed into French fry products by large-scale industries in the Hafpal area. Hafpal represents the area in which French fry potatoes are supplied between the North Sea and the imaginary border that runs from Hamburg, Frankfurt, Paris and Le Havre. This includes the variety groups fast food (Innovator), regular (Fontane) and partly fresh French fries (Agria) together.

’Innovator is currently a very popular variety, so that is pushing up prices. The yields of Innovator potatoes are worse than expected and the interest from fast food chain McDonald’s in this long French fry variety is particularly high’, Van der Zee explains.

30 to 37 euros per 100 kilos for category 2

PotatoNL has also increased the listing for category 2 in week 3. This is the category of potatoes suitable for chips with a special destination, usually Agrias that are processed into fresh products.

But potatoes with the destination peeling and processing by small, local chip bakeries also fall under this. Furthermore, this category includes all chips-suitable potatoes that are processed outside the Hafpal area. For category 2, PotatoNL now notes 30 to 37 euros per 100 kilos.

French fries potatoes for fresh fries and peeling are listed at 30 to 37 euros per 100 kilos, just like category 2. The listing for flaked potatoes is set at 7 to 12 euros per 100 kilos. That is an increase of 1.50 euros compared to last week.