Belgium "Let's Eat Fries Twice a Week"... Potato Farmers Hit Hard by COVID-19

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] "Let's eat French fries at least twice a week"

In Belgium, potato farmers have been hit hard as the demand for potatoes declined due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As a result, there is a growing call to eat French fries at least twice a week.

According to CNBC and others on the 27th (local time), when movement restrictions and shutdown measures were imposed in Belgium due to COVID-19, 750,000 tons of potatoes were found to be piled up in warehouses.

Belgians are famous for enjoying French fries, but as the demand for frozen potatoes, which account for 75% of Belgium's potato supply, decreased, inventory piled up tremendously.

Belgium is the world's largest potato processing and exporting country, exporting more than 1.5 million tons of potatoes annually to over 100 countries. However, since the shutdown measures were imposed from mid-March due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, farmers' sales channels have been blocked.

Romain Cool, Secretary General of Belgapom, the Belgian Potato Industry Association, said, "750,000 tons of potatoes, enough to fill 30,000 large trucks, remain unsold and piled up due to COVID-19." He added, "During the COVID-19 crisis, we are preparing a campaign to save potato farmers by encouraging Belgians to eat frozen French fries at least twice a week."

In Belgium, potatoes were traded at about 135 euros (approximately 180,000 KRW) per ton, but recently the price dropped to 15 euros (approximately 20,000 KRW) per ton.

Due to the sudden drop in demand, the industry is reported to have received support from the European Commission for the first time in history.

Meanwhile, the Belgian government ordered stores to close in March to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.