Why is DODILog so keen on preserving potatoes quality?
Every day, in many households in North West Europe potatoes are served at the family table. The potato turns out to be a common food product that is incorporated into meals in abundance. And yet, the potato stands at the head of an industrial chain that creates significant added value and is a source of innovation.
Depending on the intended use, several potato sectors are distinguished in France:
- The consumption sector (potatoes intended for the fresh, storage, and early markets, as well as the processing market).
- The starch sector (potatoes intended for the paper industry, food processing, materials, textiles, etc.).
- The seed potato sector (potatoes intended for new plantings).
In Flanders alone, 6 million tons of potatoes are processed annually. Three million are processed in the production of French fries. And this sector provides employment for 6,700 people. Many potatoes are grown locally and purchased from farmers: this market in Flanders alone is worth 1.5 billion euros.
In the Hautes de France region, an average of 4.5 million tons of potatoes are harvested. The Hautes de France region is therefore the largest potato-producing region in France. Other important producing regions are the Grand Est region, Val de Loire, and Normandy.
The biggest potato producing country is Germany, good for 7,5 million tons. And also, the United Kingdom is producing 4,3 million tons of potatoes.
Considering all these figures, the potato is therefore a very important export product in both Flanders and Northern France. As for Flanders, the export of frozen potato products amounts to more than 3 million tons. Of this, 50% goes to the EU27. The remainder is exported to the United Kingdom, Brazil, Latin America, and the Middle East. Traditionally, the US was also an important export market, but unreliable political leadership and unjustified import tariffs are disrupting this market.
As for fresh potatoes, Northern France exports 2.6 million potatoes, mainly to neighboring countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Many potatoes also find their way to Belgium as a supply for the Flemish processing industry. And where there is export, there is also potato storage, potato packaging, and potato transport.
Given the sector´s huge potential and value it is no wonder that the DODILog transnational partners are working together to find technological solutions that can continue to safely bring this food into our lives, without contaminations, early sprouting or illnesses!
