About EUPPA
EUPPA - European Potato Processors' Association
European potato processors employ over 25.000 people and produce 6 million tonnes of French fries and potato-derived products annually.
Through continued interaction with European associations, including FoodDrinkEurope, national associations and company members, EUPPA is proactive on a number of issues relevant to the potato sector, including nutrition & health, food safety, trade policy and sustainability.
Vision & Mission
As the European Potato Processors‘ Association we want our industry to be highly innovative, sustainable, competitive, being responsible for the current and future needs of our planet and our consumers. In order to achieve this, we are pro-actively engaged in communicating our values and concerns to all relevant stakeholders. We pride ourselves in adding value to an important European crop with a strong heritage regarding farmers’ interests. All of our members sell cross borders, offering a wide range of products using the excellent reputation of the European cuisine.
Our role is to defend the interests of our members on a European level and together we want to co-create a more sustainable future: promoting ethical, environmental and economic wellbeing across our supply and value chain.
Our Industry in Europe
Europe is the second largest grower of potatoes worldwide; it is an industry well-rooted in its agricultural supply chain. The total harvested production in the EU is 47 million tonnes, of which 35 million tonnes are grown in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Poland. The processed European potato production is worth more than 7.3 billion Euros.
According to recent EU data (2022) and the UN ComTrade, the EU total exports - incl. intra EU - of frozen potatoes (HS 200410) consisted of 7 billion Euros with an amount of 5.953 tonnes. The sector is a fast-growing export industry thanks to the advantages of large-scale agriculture, high yields of potato crops in Europe and large production facilities. Total EU exports to 200 destination countries (excl. intra EU) were 3 billion Euros in 2022 with an amount of 2.935 tonnes.
Potato Growth in Europe
More than 90% of potatoes used for processing in Europe are grown in its North-West corner the main production area for potato processing where fries (chips), potato chips (crisps) and multiple other potato specialities are prepared. The key characteristic of Europe’s main potato growing area is the increased cross-border transportation between these countries, ensuring the potato processing factories are supplied in the most efficient way.
This takes place because the potato processing plants are often located relatively close to the country borders, while companies are contracting the majority of their potatoes with individual growers in a radius of on average 100 – 150 km from their factory. This limited transport range is important to manage product quality as well as efficiencies.
