EUPPA highlights scale and trade strength of Europe potato processing industry in 2025

The European Potato Processors’ Association (EUPPA) published its latest Facts and Figures for 2025, underlining the scale, economic impact and global trade reach of Europe’s potato processing industry. The data show that EUPPA represents more than 90% of Europe’s processed potato production by both value and volume, positioning the sector as a key pillar of the European agri-food economy.
 

Industry footprint and production

EUPPA brings together six national associations based in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, alongside 14 individual companies.

Across the EU27, potato cultivation (including seed potatoes) covers around 1.38 million hectares, delivering total harvested production of approximately 50 million tonnes. Average yields reach 36.3 tonnes per hectare, reflecting continued productivity gains across the sector.

The European potato processing industry operates 51 production facilities and produces around 7.5 million tonnes per year of French fries and other potato-derived products. Annual turnover of the sector is estimated at EUR 9.8 billion (USD 10.6 billion), while average per capita consumption of processed potato products stands at 7.3 kg. The industry directly and indirectly employs around 25,000 people across Europe.
 

Trade and export performance

Trade figures underline Europe’s strong position in global potato product markets. In 2024, EU27 exports of processed potato products, including intra-EU trade, reached EUR 8.9 billion (USD 9.6 billion) and 6.8 million tonnes. Extra-EU exports accounted for EUR 4.0 billion (USD 4.3 billion) and around 3 million tonnes. EUPPA members export to approximately 200 countries worldwide.

The top five EU exporting countries in 2024 were Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Together, these countries accounted for 98.2% of total EU27 export value and 99.8% of extra-EU export value, highlighting the concentration and efficiency of Europe’s processing hubs. Intra-EU trade alone represented around EUR 5.0 billion (USD 5.4 billion) and 3.8 million tonnes.
 

From yield to fork

According to EUPPA, the figures highlight the importance of the potato processing industry from primary production through to final consumption. Strong yields, large-scale processing capacity and robust export performance continue to support Europe’s role as a global leader in French fries and potato-derived products, while ensuring value creation across the supply chain from farmers to processors and consumers.