Belgium: Larger share of free-range potatoes in Belgium

In Flanders and Wallonia, an estimated 2.52 million tonnes of potatoes are still in storage sheds on the reference date. This is evident from an inventory by the Belgian research institutes Viaverda , Inagro, Fiwap and Carah. The estimated stock is almost equal to the multi-year average.

The Belgian production of consumption potatoes, both early and late varieties, has been set at 4.31 million tonnes for 2024. This means that 58 percent of the harvest had not yet been delivered at the beginning of February. The total Belgian potato production consisted of 4.07 million tonnes of storage potatoes. Of this, 2.79 million tonnes were sold in advance under contract and 1.28 million tonnes were freely available at the start of the marketing season.

Sales slow to start

What is remarkable this year is that the sale of mainly free potatoes has started slowly. Of the current stock, the share of free potatoes is approximately 1 million tonnes or 40 percent. That share is more than 15 percent higher than the multi-year average. On the other hand, this year in Belgium up to and including the reference date, 26 percent more contract potatoes have already been delivered.

With regard to the stock volumes, the Belgian research institutes make the comment that the free potatoes are calculated in gross tons. The marketable quantity is therefore probably a few percent lower than appears from the inventory due to loss due to rot or other storage problems. The total potato stock is divided equally between Flanders and Wallonia. The share of free potatoes is larger in Flanders.