Diepvriesfrites en aardappelspecialiteiten

The total potato harvest in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France in 2018 will be at least 20 percent lower than last year, according to the latest estimates of the North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG).

On Wednesday October 17th, a new french fry production line was inaugurated at the Leuze-en-Hainaut site of McCain Foods subsidiary Lutosa SA. According to McCain Foods, this Lutosa plant is now world’s largest fully integrated potato processing plant.

In this interview, Marc Van Herreweghe, the new Chairman of Belgapom and CEO of Mydibel, discusses the challenges this Belgian Potato Association faces going forward, as well as sustainability issues and problems related to recent weather conditions.

INTERPOM | PRIMEURS, the indoor trade fair for the whole potato & vegetable sector in Europe, will take place from Sunday 25 to Tuesday 27 November 2018 at Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium)

The North-Western European Potato Growers (NEPG) conclude that the potato production this year in North-Western Europe will be much lower than average and that quality issues will be a main challenge.

The extreme heat and drought is a disaster for the upcoming potato harvest. And for processors too: in Belgium, potato chips manufacturer Roger&Roger (Croky) temporarily halts production of some its flavours to manage the lack of potato supply.

The INTERPOM PRIMEURS, a trade show entirely focused on the potato industry held November 25 - 27 2018 in Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium), has already sold out all stand space.

Belgapom, the Belgian potato trade and processing industry association, has appointed Marc Van Herreweghe as its new chairman.

The record year of 2016 for the Belgian potato processing industry continued into 2017, according to Belgapom, the Belgian potato trade and processing industry association.

An investment of ‎€ 200 million (USD 250 million) in a brand new French Fry plant in Wielsbeke, Belgium. That's what Hannelore Raes and Filip Wallays expect it will take to push their family company Agristo into the top five french fry manufacturers worldwide.

Mydibel strengthens management team to support its national and international growth ambition:
Appointment of Marc Van Herreweghe as CEO of the Mydibel group

Mydibel versterkt management ter ondersteuning nationale én internationale groeiambities:
Marc Van Herreweghe wordt CEO van de Mydibel Groep.

The total consumption potato area in North-Western Europe, has been estimated at 578.821 ha, which is 4.6% more than last year and 8.3% more than the 5 years average, according to the NEPG.

TOMRA Sorting Food has delivered the world’s highest capacity steam peeler to a leading potato processing company.

Key Technology has been selected to equip a new production line at Lutosa, a subsidiary of McCain Foods Limited, with a complete solution of their optical inspection and material handling equipment that will prominently feature their new VERYX® digital sorters in a contract worth US$9 million.

According to the data of Belgapom, the Potato Processing Industry in Belgium last year not only set a record for the amount of potatoes processed, but also a record for investments in the sector, with over 300 million euro (325 million USD) invested.

Belgian metalworking specialist Burgmetaal has installed 20 lifting systems at Lutosa to facilitate the handling and exchange of the (bag) forming shoulders for the VFFS packaging machines.

Belgian Potato Processing company Lutosa, a subsidiary of McCain Foods, plans the construction of a new french fry line in Leuze-en-Hainaut. The line is expected to be operational early in 2018