News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Belgium

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

Farm Frites, a Dutch family business specializing in fries and potato products, has been presented with a charity voucher worth €2,000 after winning The Golden Fry competition, held by TOMRA Sorting Food, a leading provider of sensor-based food sorting machines.

Belgian pre-fried and frozen potato products manufacturer Agristo is teaming up with Egemin Automation for the third time in a row for the construction of a new, fully automated high-bay deepfreeze warehouse.

The 18th edition of the Interpom | Primeurs once again set a new record with 19 938 visitors from no less than 55 different countries, illustrating the growing interest for this event far beyond the Belgian borders.

INTERPOM | PRIMEURS, the leading indoor trade fair for the potato, vegetable and fruit sector in Europe, shows strong growth in 2016, featuring 310 exhibitors and all stand space fully booked.

Starting from the 2016 – 2017 season, the Belgapom quotation will be made up of three parts, each supplemented by their own market sentiment: Bintje, Challenger and Fontane.

Potatoes are the second largest cultivated crop in Belgium and a key ingredient in Belgian cuisine. It's the base of the world-famous French fries, and is considered by Belgians as part of their national pride.

Aunque normalmente se combina con una hamburguesa, las patatas fritas son uno de los alimentos más queridos en el mundo. Nosotros comemos unos 2 millones de toneladas cada año! En Gran Bretaña, las patatas se han convertido parte del plato nacional conocido como pescado y patatas fritas.