Dutch export potato prices surge; Belgian supply hit by drought

Export prices for Dutch potatoes have risen sharply to €25–28/100 kg, while Belgian yields are down 20% due to drought.

According to the latest PotatoNL quotations, Dutch potatoes intended for export (field-grown, over 40 mm) reached €25–28 per 100 kg in early August 2026. This marks a significant increase, as no transactions were reported for this group the previous week. Potatoes from the new Dutch harvest were generally traded at €20–25/100 kg, up from €18.5–22.5/100 kg a week earlier. The main varieties for fries, such as Agria, Markies, and Victoria, saw prices climb to €17–25/100 kg, compared to €10–20/100 kg in the previous week. Regular frites varieties (including Fontane and Ramos) traded at €15–23/100 kg, up from €10–15/100 kg the week before. Category 1 processing potatoes for large industry buyers in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany moved to €15–23/100 kg, from €10–15/100 kg a week earlier. Two weeks prior, prices in this segment were as low as €2–15/100 kg, indicating a rapid escalation in the market over the past fortnight. In Belgium, the Flemish Agriculture and Fisheries Agency has reported a 20% reduction in potato yields due to persistent drought and high temperatures in the eastern regions. This is expected to affect availability for both the domestic market and exports to major buyers such as Germany and Poland. The French market is also under pressure from successive heatwaves and low soil moisture, with the FAO labelling France as a 'major concern' for summer crop yields, including potatoes. In Germany, southwestern regions are experiencing strong water stress in summer crops, including potatoes, due to prolonged high temperatures and already dry soils. The German Farmers’ Association has warned of significant crop reductions, especially in areas without irrigation, which could further tighten supplies in Central Europe. The tight supply situation and high export prices in the Netherlands, combined with reduced Belgian and German yields, are likely to impact potato import costs in Poland and other Central European markets.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI