Belgian potato prices have risen by 25 per cent since the end of April, driven by limited supplies as the potato season comes toward an end.
Commodity analysts Mintec said concerns over the size of the upcoming 2016-17 crop have also pushed prices north. And while the potato planted area for 2016-17 is projected to increase for the five main European potato producers - Belgium among them - potato yields have been revised down in July.
Yields are still expected to increase year on year, but less than previously estimated, according to Mintec. This is due to adverse weather throughout spring and summer.
Late spring and early summer have been very wet, with some of the crop expected to be lost to flooding. In addition, dry and hot weather conditions during recent weeks could further reduce yields, especially for non-irrigated produce.
