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The chips are down in Belgium as heatwave hits supply of frites The chips are down in Belgium as heatwave hits supply of frites
(about 1 hour later)
Belgium food vendors are praying for rain as the hot weather puts supply of the country’s national dish, frites, under threat. Food vendors in Belgium are praying for rain as the hot weather threatens the supply of the country’s national dish, frites.
The current Europe-wide heatwave has shrunk the country’s early crop of potatoes by around a third, compared to an average year. Without very significant rainfall over the next few weeks, the key September and October harvests could be smaller still. The Europe-wide heatwave has shrunk Belgium’s early crop of potatoes by about one-third compared with an average year. Without significant rainfall over the next few weeks, the key September and October harvests could be smaller still.
The heat impacts not only the yield, but the size of the potatoes and the roughness of their skins. Too tough, and they can’t be handled by the peeling machines used by chip manufacturers. The heat impacts not only the yield, but the size of the potatoes and the roughness of their skins. If they are too tough, they cannot be handled by the peeling machines used by chip manufacturers.
The price of the bintje potato, the traditional variety used in creating the frite, or frieten, as they say in the Flemish-speaking north of the country where the crisis has hit hardest, has already shot up. And it is set to rise further, turning the cheap Belgian snack into a rather expensive one. The price of the bintje potato, the traditional variety used in creating the frite, or frieten, as people say in the Flemish-speaking north of the country where the crisis has most been felt, has already shot up. And it is likely to rise further, turning the cheap Belgian snack into a rather expensive one.
“It’s a subject that is at the heart of our job,” Bernard Lefèvre, the president of Unafri-Navefri, the stallowners association, told Politico. “Prices have already increased and potatoes will be smaller but it isn’t clear yet. We are hopeful. It’s the first time Belgians are praying for more rain ... Frites are essential. It is vital. It is part of our culture. It’s more than a product — it’s a symbol of Belgium.” Bernard Lefèvre, the president of Unafri-Navefri, the stallowners’ association, told Politico: “It’s a subject that is at the heart of our job.
Belgium, not noted for its lack of rain , has applied to the EU for emergency funds to deal with the drought, which has most heavily impacted the north of Flanders, in terms of both the quantity and quality of their potatoes. “Prices have already increased and potatoes will be smaller, but it isn’t clear yet. We are hopeful. It’s the first time Belgians are praying for more rain ...
Lefèvre said: “We can’t know if the harvest is 100 percent good or bad until September, but it’s true that if everything continues like it is, it’s not great for frites.” “Frites are essential. It is vital. It is part of our culture. It’s more than a product – it’s a symbol of Belgium.”
Romain Cools, the general secretary of Belgapom, the country’s largest potato grower, said: “Drought combined with heat kills plants. This is disadvantageous, especially for the early potatoes that are harvested at this time. Belgium, not noted for a lack of rain, has applied to the EU for emergency funds to deal with the drought, which has most heavily impacted the north of Flanders, in terms of the quantity and quality of potatoes.
“It is a disaster in the fields that the farmers could not irrigate. We record losses of around 30% ... This year, the market looks very different from last year. In 2017, a tonne of potatoes was trading at 25 euros because the supply was very substantial. Now, we are talking about 250 to 300 euros per tonne.” “We can’t know if the harvest is 100% good or bad until September, but it’s true that if everything continues like it is, it’s not great for frites,” Lefèvre said.
Romain Cools, the secretary general of Belgapom, the country’s largest potato grower, said: “Drought combined with heat kills plants. This is disadvantageous, especially for the early potatoes that are harvested at this time.
“It is a disaster in the fields that the farmers could not irrigate. We record losses of around 30% ... This year, the market looks very different from last year.
“In 2017, a tonne of potatoes was trading at €25 because the supply was very substantial. Now, we are talking about €250 to €300 per tonne.”
BelgiumBelgium
FarmingFarming
Food & drink industryFood & drink industry
Climate changeClimate change
EuropeEurope
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