France: The French potato market is going through one of its worst crises in years

Although the long-term outlook is favourable, the situation has taken a worrying turn in recent weeks due to a sharp fall in prices, accompanied by the unilateral breach of contractual commitments by some industry players, especially those of Belgian origin.

This situation has led the National Union of Potato Producers (UNPT) to speak out against the unsustainable commercial pressure that is affecting farmers. According to the organization, these practices put the economic balance of the sector at risk for the 2025/2026 campaign.

Falling prices : a strategy to put pressure on producers

One of the most alarming aspects of this crisis is the drastic reduction in prices on the free market. The Fontane industrial variety, one of the most widely sold, has experienced a 40% drop in just one month, a drop that is not due to a natural variation in the market, but to an intentional manoeuvre by certain industrialists.

The unilateral reduction of contracted volumes was another of the measures imposed by a major Belgian operator, which has decided to reduce the agreed tonnage commitments by 10% to 20%. This decision comes at a critical time, when the cultivation plans are already closed and the plantations are about to begin.

The UNPT claims that this practice is not a coincidence, but rather part of a strategy to unbalance the market and force unfavourable purchasing conditions for French farmers.

The risks of a lack of dialogue in the potato industry

The problem is aggravated by the refusal of certain operators to engage in structured dialogue with producers and their organisations. The lack of concerted planning has led to an oversupply of contracts, creating even more instability in the market.

UNPT stresses that responsible management of cultivated areas could have prevented this crisis. Instead, unilateral decisions by the industry have created a problem of overproduction that threatens farmers’ profitability.

The organisation also criticises the fact that some companies are ignoring trade transparency regulations, such as those established in the EGAlim law and the inter-professional agreements of the GIPT, which seek to guarantee fair relations in the supply chain.

UNPT  Demands Urgent Measures to Protect Producers

In the face of this crisis, the National Union of Potato Producers has launched an urgent call to producers, administrations and the entire industry to prevent further destabilization of the sector.

Actions aimed at farmers

The UNPT recommends that French producers avoid signing agreements with unreliable operators and prioritise their links with well-organised commercial structures. This will enable them to secure stable contracts and avoid the current uncertainty.

Request for state intervention

The organisation has also called on the French government and local authorities to take action in the crisis by establishing a structured framework for negotiations between producers and industrialists. The aim is to enable all parties to coordinate their actions to ensure sustainable development of potato production.

The future of the French potato: between uncertainty and the need for dialogue

Despite the current crisis, the UNPT continues to support a competitive and stable French potato production. However, it warns that this will only be possible if the sector’s players adopt a cooperative approach and if clear rules are established to prevent commercial abuses.

The French potato market plays a key role in European agriculture, so its stability affects not only French producers but the entire agri-food supply chain. The sector’s ability to overcome this crisis will largely depend on the willingness of manufacturers to negotiate fairly and on the intervention of the authorities to ensure a balanced and sustainable market.