Since the start of containment, stocks of potatoes have accumulated on producers' holdings. In total, hundreds of thousands of tonnes remain without a commercial outlet, due to the closure of restaurants, but also school canteens. For producers, the losses are likely to be very significant, even if they are trying to find solutions.
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"100 to 200 tonnes of potatoes on the arms, unsaleable
"I did not see the coronavirus crisis arrive, and I ended up with 100 to 200 tonnes of potatoes on my hands, unsaleable", laments Emmanuel Leclerc, farmer in Comines (North). To avoid throwing away, the producer has set up a drive at the gates of his farm to sell part of this surplus to individuals. "We have 30,000 euros of potatoes which should come in, and which will not come in ... With this means, we will try to limit the breakage as much as possible." Since the beginning of the month, a tonne has already been sold, but this is far from enough to compensate for the losses.
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A loss of 200 million euros
Saving what can be saved is the challenge of the industry. "We produce industrial potatoes, so 70% of our outlets are intended for communities and restaurants," explains the secretary general of the National Union of Potato Producers (UNPT). "With containment, we estimate the loss of turnover for the industrial potato at more than 200 million euros".
For the sector, there is no question of leaving unsold products to rot. The secretary general of the UMPT appeals to the state, and claims 35 million euros to transform these potatoes into food for livestock.
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