European potato market overview: Demand nearly nonexistent in France

The potato organization FIWAP (Filière Wallonne de la Pomme de terre) in Belgium has published it’s latest weekly report. According to the report, there is virtually no demand for processing potatoes in France, although some buyers are expected to return to the market in the coming weeks / months as contract volumes are completed. The fresh market is also moving slow, with very low prices in stores. Export is struggling to restart, especially due to a lack of trucks. In the Netherlands, exporters are counting on export to rebound to Africa (West African destinations) which is long overdue. Limited volumes are regularly made to the Caribbean and the Middle East. Trade to Southern and Eastern Europe is still too weak to boost markets. In the UK, some analysts say the current market complications could lead to a significant decrease in planted area in 2018. More