Heatwave will result in smaller potato chips, say German manufacturers

The heatwave in Germany is also affecting the harvest of potato varieties needed to make potato chips. Due to the extraordinary weather conditions, there is the threat of 30 percent crop failures.

Furthermore, a higher potato utilization factor is assumed, meaning that more potatoes are needed to produce a single bag of potato chips than in years with an average harvest. There is no protection against this. The exact extent of the situation will not be clear until the harvest is completed in the fall.

However, it is already certain that manufacturers will come under pressure during a tight harvest. Here, the Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry e.V. (BDSI) joins in the appeals for fairness to all parties involved, said Federal Minister Julia Klöckner in the press conference on the federal-state aid program for farmers on 22 August 2018.

The current situation on the potato market must be met by all producers of potato snack products.

Carsten Bernoth, spokesman for the specialty snacks segment in the BDSI:

“Sharp rises in commodity prices could lead to price increases that could be passed on to the consumer, but this is decided by competition alone.”

In addition, in some European countries, the harvest situation is similar or even more difficult.

Manufacturers will take the appropriate measures to ensure the well-known high quality of potato chips. But as a result of this year's weather conditions, the potato chips will be smaller in size. The consumer will nevertheless be able to enjoy the products in the usual way.